THe  STORY 
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Yhtgs  me  Missionhry 


CHHRieS  E.THYLOH 


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The  Stoky  op  Yatfq   thi.  ^w 
K-  Taylor,  D.  D     clot  ,    v/'"'"^^':?^-     ^>-  <'>^«s. 

Convention,  <^ATl{e,?im,l'^  Southern  Baptist 
This  is  (he  life  of  MattliPw  r  v.* 

t  ,.s  a  most  thrilling  book,  and  wherever  Srdwii 
be  an  inspiration  and  a  power     It  T.  o   T 

We  earnestly  honp  if  «jii  i. 


THE     STORY 

-OF- 

2/ates  -  the  -  iT/issionari/ 

Written  by  Charles  E.  Taylor.  DP.  Cloth. 
12mo.,  pp.  300.  Price,  $1.00,  postpaid. 
Published  and  for  sale  by  the  Sunday  School 
Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention, 
Nashville,  Tenn.       ♦♦♦♦■» 

A  wonderful  book.  Strikinsily  illustrated.  Ma^niflcei.t  picture  of 
Dr.  Yates;  his  private  seal  on  title  page;  picture  of  his  wife;  a 
charming  picture  of  the  country  home  \\here  he  was  brought  up  ;  a 
map  of  China  :  a  map  of  Shanghai,  drawn  by  himself:  and  other 
pictures  of  interest. 

WITH    INCREASING    POWER. 

\y.  E.  Hatcher :  A  book  whose  charm  is  contagious  and  resistless. 
A  story  Avhich  opens  simply  and  beautifully,  and  grows  in  dignitv. 
seriousness,  and  power  even  unto  its  last  page. 

WILL    MAKE    MISSIONARIES. 

R.  Van  Deventer  :  It  moved  my  heart,  it  thrilled  my  soul.  I  could 
not  see  the  lines  for  tears.  I  could  not  keep  from  'laughing.  The 
book  will  make  missionaries  under  God. 

THE   ETERNAL    BOOKS. 

./.  A.  Kesler :  His  story  rises  in  interest  and  intensity  to  the  last. 
It  is  a  book  of  rare  power  and  inspiration.  One  is  moved  more  than 
he  can  well  account  for.  A  hero's  life  whose  flerv  spirit,  full  of  good, 
makes  our  own.  as  we  read,  claim  kin  with  the  angels.  There  are 
but  few  such  lives— few  in  a  century— and  the  books  that  preserve 
them  are  the  eternal  books. 


f\     ORE/\T    TRIO; 

FULLER.         JETER.         YATES. 

Three  Lectures  before  Southern  Baptist  Theolog  cal  Seminary. 
By  Rev.  W.  R.  L.  Smith,  P.P.    Paper,  16mo.,  pp. 
116.    Price,  postpaid,  25c.    Published  and  for 
sale  by  the  Sunday  School  Board  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention,  Nashville,  Tenn.       #      # 

"A  superb  setting  forth  of  three  great  men.  I  want  a  supply  on 
hand  all  the  time,  so  as  to  put  a  copy  in  the  hands  of  voung  men.  It 
may  mark  the  turning  point  in  their  \\\gs."'— Henry  SlcDonald. 

BAPTIST  SUNDAY  SCHOOL   BOARD, 

NASHVILLE,  Tennessee. 


Kev.  Matthkw  Tvson  Yates.  D.l)., 

When  66  years  old,  and  when  he  had  been  37  years  a  missionary  in 

China.     Height,  6  feet  2  inches  :   weight,  244  pounds. 


THE  STOR\ 


r 


IITES  THE  MISSIONIR!, 


AS   TOLD   IN    HIS 


Letters  and  Reminiscences, 


PREPARED   BY 

CHARLES  E.  TAYLOR, 

President  Wake  Forest  Collciife. 


SUNDAY  SCHOOL  BOARD 

SOUTHERN  BAPTIST  CONVENTION 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

1898. 


Copyright  1898 

By  the  Sunday  School  Board  of  the 

Southern  Baptist  Convention. 


To 

The  Baptist  Churches  of  the  South 

and  to  their  Servants,  ■ 

The  Boards  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention, 

and  to 

Those  Laboring  in  Home  and  Foreign  Fields, 

This  story  of  the  life 

Of  one  of  our  earliest  and  ablest  Missionaries 

Is  affectionately  dedicated. 


PUBLISHERS  NOTE. 


The  Sunday  School  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention,  December  31,  1897,  passed  a  resolution  that 

Five  hundred  dollars  be  set  aside,  to  be  known  as  the 
Matthew  T.  Yates  Publishing  Fund,  to  be  considered 
as  a  memorial  in  honor  of  him,  and  as  a  contribution  to 
missions;  to  be  used  in  publishing  and  putting  on  the  mar- 
ket the  life  of  Dr.  Yates,  written  by  Dr.  Chas.  E.  Taylor, 
and  that  all  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  book  be  put  to  the 
credit  of  this  fund. 

We  send  this  book  on  its  errand  of  mission  work, 
persuaded  that  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention  would 
have  it  done.  It  was  written  for  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board,  and  is  a  labor  of  love. 

The  private  seal  of  Dr.  Y^ates  on  the  title  page  was 
reproduced  from  an  old  envelope,  post-marked  Shang- 
hai, China,  June  i,  188 1,  fifteen  cents  postage,  sealed 
with  red  vvax,  and  addressed  to  Rev.  J.  P.  Boyce,  D.D., 
Louisville,  Ky.,  U.  S.  A. 

Dr.  R.  T.  Bryan's  account  of  the  Jubilee  services  held 
at  Shanghai,  November,  1897,  is  added  as  an  appendix, 
a  fitting  crown  to  the  work  so  beautifully  set  out  in  this 
story. 

Seldom  does  a  book  so  sweep  heart  and  mind,  its 
reading  giving  a  kind  of  transfiguration  experience.  Et 
is  thrilling  to  think  how,  from  its  reading,  missionaries 
Vvill  be  born  and  how  the  enrichment  of  thought  and 
{"^eling  will  come  both  in  the  home  and  in  the  churches. 
We  send  this  book  out  with  the  conviction  that  God  set 
before  us  this  open  door,  and  will  use  the  effort  for  the 
furtherance  of  his  purposes  in  human  redemption. 

Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  3,  1898. 


Table  of  Contents 


CUAI'TKR  l'A<iK 

I.   A  Country  Boy 7 

II.  A  Story  of  Strtig-g-les 15 

III.  What  Horse,  Saddle,  and  Bridle  Helped  to  Pay  for,  2'.\ 

IV.  Bej^-ins  in  America  and  Ends  in  Asia 32 

V.  Housekeeping- Under  Difficulties 45 

VI.  Bad  Eyes  and  Good  Ears 54 

VII.   At  Work (50 

VIII.  Reaching  Out 09 

IX.  A  Long-,  Steady  Pull 77 

X.  Rebellion  Records 88 

XI.  On  Guard  in  One's  Own  House 03 

XII.  Dictionary-Making  Under  Difficulties 100 

XIII.  Almost  Superhuman  Efforts 107 

XIV.  In  Which  the  Hero  is  Both  Wrecked  and  Starved..  Ill) 
XV.  Eighteen  Months  in  the  United  States 120 

XVI.   Supporting  a  Mission 110 

XVII.  I  Have  Reached  the  Chinese  Heart 15") 

XVIII.   A  Dumb  Preacher 104 

XIX.  I  Am  in  Dead  Earnest 183 

XX.  Better  Ore  is  Struck 1<)4 

XXI.  Is  Retrospective 203 

XXII.  Sacred  Strategy 210 

XXIII.  Reaching  Out  Farther 231 

XXIV.  A  Danger  Signal 254 

XXV.  Dead  on  the  Field  of  Battle 27U 


PREFACE. 


Not  long  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Yates,  the  statement 
was  pubHshed  that  a  citizen  of  Raleigh,  N.  C,  well  com- 
petent for  the  task,  had  undertaken  to  prepare  a  memoir 
of  the  honored  missionary.  His  professional  engage- 
ments, however,  became  so  engrossing  that,  after  the 
lapse  of  many  months,  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish 
his  design. 

The  present  work  has  been  undertaken  as  the  result 
of  a  conviction  and  a  hope  long  entertained  by  the 
writer.  The  conviction  is  that  the  life  and  character  and 
work  of  Dr.  Yates  are  worthy  of  an  abiding  record.  The 
hope  is  that  each  reader  will  be  able  to  get  from  it  some 
such  inspiration  as  young  Matthew  Yates  received  from 
the  life  of  Ann  Judson. 

As  far  as  possible.  Dr.  Yates  has  been  allowed  to  tell 
the  story  of  his  own  life.  In  1880-81  he  published  in  the 
Biblical  Recorder  (Raleigh,  N.  C),  a  series  of  letters 
entitled,  "Reminiscences  of  a  Long  Missionary  Life." 
These,  as  well  as  extracts  from  his  personal  and  official 
correspondence,  constitute  the  main  body  of  this  volume 
and  almost  warrant  for  it  the  title  of  an  autobiography. 
Condensation  has  in  many  places  been  absolutely  nec- 
essary. This  has  sometimes  required  the  recasting  of 
sentences  in  order  to  preserve  the  thread  of  the  narra- 
tive. But  the  writer  is  certain  that  no  change  has  been 
made  which  at  all  afTects  the  sense  or  of  which  Dr.  Yates 
would  not  have  approved. 

When  not  otherwise  indicated,  the  letters  were  ad- 
dressed to  the  Secretaries  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board 
in  Richmond,  Va.  The  letters  'To  the  Recorder"  were 
published  in  the  Biblical  Recorder,  Raleigh,  N   C. 

C.  E.  Taylor. 

Wake  Forest  College,  April,  1898. 


YATES  TUB  MISSIONARY. 


CHAPTER   I. 

A  COUNTRY  BOY 1819-1836 AGE  IJ . 

ROM  the  unpretentious  rural  homes  of  North 
Carolina  have  come  forth  hundreds  of  men 
who,  in  almost  every  calling,  have  become  emi- 
,  nent  and  useful.    In  truth,  it  may  be  questioned 

wTiether  any  State  of  the  Union  has  been  the  birthplace 
of  a  larger  number  of  great  men:  though,  to  the  general 
view,  North  Carolina's  fertility  in  greatness  has  been 
obscured  by  the  fact  that  very  many  of  her  bons  havrf 
made  their  careers  elsewhere  than  in  the  Stare  of  their 
nativity.  Why  the  State  has  been  so  prolific  of  eminent 
men  is  not  difficult  to  explain.  The  conditions  of  good 
ancestry,  simplicity  of  life,  necessity  for  labor,  familiar- 
ity with  nature,  religious  training,  and  freedom  from 
grosser  temptations  have  all  been  met  in  thousands  of 
her  old  fashioned  country  homes.  And,  for  the  making 
of  the  hero  of  this  true  story,  none  of  these  were  lacking. 

The  Yates  family  in  this  country  are  descendants  of 
two  cousins  of  that  name  who  came  from  England  to 
Virginia  in  colonial  times.  The  more  immediate  an- 
cestors of  Matthew  Yates  moved  at  an  early  period  to 
Wake  County,  N.  C,  and  settled  near  its  western  bound- 
ary. Not  very  far  to  the  southwest  were  the  homes  ir: 
which  were  reared  the  older  Manlys  and  Brantlys,  the 
Brooks,  Emersons,  Marshs,  and  others,  whose  names 
are  familiar  in  American  Baptist  history. 

About  eighteen  miles  west  of  Raleigh,  lived  and  died 
William  and  Delilah  Yates.  They  reared  to  maturity 
ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom 


8  Yates  The  Missionary. 

became  members  of  Baptist  cbu'xhes.  JMattliew  Tyson 
Yates,  the  second  of  these  children,  was  born  January 
8th,  1819. 

WilHam  Yates  hvcd  upon  and  cultivated  his  own  farm 
of  four  or  live  hundred  acres.  For  nearly  fifty  years  he 
was  an  honored  deacon  of  Mt.  Pisgali  Church.  Prudent, 
♦enterprising,  and  industrious,  he  was  looked  up  to  by 
his  neighbors  as  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  that  section, 
^n  his  home  was  neither  poverty  nor  riches.  His  was 
a  life  of  labor,  but  it  was  also  a  life  of  independence.  For, 
during  the  earlier  years  of  the  century,  almost  every- 
thing worn  or  consumed  by  the  farmer's  ^amily  was 
produced  at  home. 

It  may  be  doubted  whether  Yates  the  uiissionarv 
could  have  endured  and  labored  as  he  did  for  more  than 
forty  years  in  China,  if  Yates  the  boy  had  not  learned, 
^vhile  wielding  the  axe,  holding  the  plough-handles,  and 
caring  for  the  cattle,  to  labor  and  endure  hardness.  In 
this  necessary  part  of  the  education  of  a  worker  or  a  hero, 
young  Matthew  passed  through  an  extended  curriculum 
Perhaps,  as  sometimes  happens  when  the  young  are  com- 
pelled to  learn  to  work  and  to  deny  themseb-es.  there 
were  times  when  h.e  repined  and  envied  the  idle  and 
luxurious.  But,  as  the  passing  years  and  wi<ier  obser- 
vation taught  their  lessons  as  to  the  value  of  this  train - 
mg,  we  have  his  own  testimony  that  he  was  grateful  that 
ihese  essential  conditions  for  the  making  of  hi^  manhood 
were  imposed  upon  him.  It  was  good  for  ^he  futur-:: 
missionary  that  he  bore  the  yoke  in  his  youth. 

And  it  may  well  be  questioned  whether  his  sturdy 
connnon  sense  \\oul(l  have  stood  him  in  such  good  stead, 
often,  too,  in  difificult  situations,  had  it  not  been  devel- 
oped and  improved  by  his  early  lessons  in  nature's  great 
kindergarten  school.  And  this  simple  life  in  boyhood, 
far  from  the  artificialities  of  society,  but  close  to  nature 
and  her  ceaseless  marvels,  doubtless  had  its  share  in 
making  him  the  simple  hearted,  unaffected  man  who. 
to  the  last,  never  lost  touch  with  his  childhood. 

We   may   think   of   Matthew's   boyhood   as   a   happy 


Yates  The  Missionary.  9 

period.  I'lio  life  of  a  farmer's  lad  in  the  midland  counties 
of  North  Car(^lina  was  not  all  labor.  The  g^ently  rolling 
countrN'  in  which  he  lived  was  watered  with  numerous 
streams;  and  these,  in  those  days,  abounded  with  fish. 
The  woods  and  fields  w^ere  full  of  game.  We  may  be 
1  ure  that  on  many  a  spring  and  autumn  afternoon  thf. 
barefoot  boy  dreamed  his  ambitious  dreams  and  weaved 
ins  bovish  fancies  as  he  watched  his  cork  amid  the  rip- 
1^1  es  and  eddies  of  the  brook.  With  keen  zest  on  early 
winter  mornings  he  visited  his  rabbit  traps  uid  cam-j 
home  not  unladen  with  game.  He  had,  wc  may  not 
doubt,  his  own  store  of  walnuts  and  hickory  nuts  and 
honeyshucks.  He  knew  the  haunts  of  the  wild  turkey 
and  the  ways  of  the  partridge,  and  where  tlic  clearest 
pools  invited  the  bather.  More  than  fifty  years  away 
from  his  boyhood,  he  said  that  his  knowledge  of  the 
Chinese  helped  him  to  locate  the  new  chapel  in  Chin- 
kiang  just  as  his  knowledge  of  the  habits  of  partridges 
had  showed  him  where  to  set  his  snares. 

Dr.  Yates,  in  his  reminiscences,  wrote  the  following 
account  of  his  first  schooling: 

The  neighborhood  in  which  we  lived  was  not  celebrated  for 
its  wealth,  refinement,  or  educational  facilities.  It  was,  how- 
ever, free  from  sinks  of  vice  and  temptations  to  the  young. 
The  schools,  in  my  school-going  days,  were  restricted  to  what 
were  generally  known  as  "')ld  field  schools;"  probably  so  called 
because  the  houses  in  which  they  were  held  were  generally 
situated  in,  or  near,  an  "old  field."  The  houses  were  rude 
.nructures.  unhewn  log  huts,  with  ^plit-board  roofs,  and  a  log 
chimney,  seven  or  eight  feet  broad  at  one  end  of  the  single 
room,  for  log  fires.  At  the  other  end  of  the  room  was  a  wide 
crack,  formed  by  cutting  away  parts  of  two  logs,  to  admit  light 
upon  the  "writing  bench,"  and  a  door  on  one  or  both  sides. 

The  furniture  of  these  school  houses  consisted  of  a  chair,  a 
lock-up  desk,  a  ferule,  and  a  long  hickory  switch  for  the  teacher, 
and  long  benches,  without  backs,  for  the  school  children.  Tliese 
"old  field  schools"  were  generally  in  session  only  during  the 
autumn  and  winter  months. 


lo  Yatks  The  Missionary. 

All  that  was  taught  in  any  to  which  I  had  the  privilege  of 
going,  was  spelling  in  Noah  Webster's  spelling  book,  Walker's 
dictionary,  reading,  writing  after  a  cf>py  set  by  the  teacher,  and 
Pikes'  arithmetic  to  the  doable  rule  of  three.  No  attempt  was 
ever  made  to  teach  the  meaning  of  \sords  or  anything  else,  ex- 
cept to  find  the  answer  to  the  sum  given  in  the  arithmetic,  the 
whole  work  of  which,  when  it  had  been  approved  by  the  teacher, 
the  pupil  was  required  to  copy  in  his  "ciphering  book." 

These  opportunities,  however  meagre,  were  not  with- 
out fruit.  If  nothing  more,  he  at  least  learned  to  read. 
And  letters  written  many  years  after  these  earliest  school 
da}'s  and  thousands  of  miles  away  from  the  old  log  school 
house  reveal  that  he  had  read  with  eager  avidity  all  that 
came  within  his  reach  during  his  boyhood  and  youth. 
]\Iany  deficiences  in  this  training  were  doubtless  repaired 
afterwards  in  Mr.  Thompson's  Academy.  The  exam- 
ination of  several  hundred  of  his  letters,  covering  more 
than  forty  years  of  correspondence,  reveals  scarcely 
an  instance  of  a  misspelt  word.  The  blue-back  speller 
had  not  been  studied  in  vain. 

Dr.  Yates'  narrative  of  his  early  religious  experiences 
is  unique  and  of  peculiar  interest.  It  is  given  here  as 
he  wrote  it  about  1850: 

My  father  delighted  in  keeping  an  open  house  for  Baptist 
preachers,  and,  in  fact,  for  preachefi^  and  religious  men  of  all 
denominations.  Robert  T.  Daniel  was  the  first  preacher  1 
remember,  and  about  all  I  remember  of  him  is  that  he  had  a 
white  head  and  a  red  face,  and  that  he  and  my  father  seemed 
to  love  each  other  very  much.  A  few  years  later  I  remember 
R.  B.  C.  Howell,  "Tom"  Armstrong,  and  John  Purefoy.  I  re- 
member well  Father  Purefoy's  putting  his  hand  on  my  head 
and  saying,  "May  the  Lord  make  a  preacher  of  him!"  This 
blessing  made  an  impression  upon  my  young  heart,  for  his 
manner  was  kind  and  his  lone  of  voice  serious. 

At  some  time  subsequent  to  this,  he  asked  me  if  I  ever 
prayed;  to  which  I  replied  that  I  did  not  know  how  to  pray. 
He  looked  kindly  at  me,  as  I  held  his  horse  for  him  to  mount, 
and  said:  "I  will  tell  you,  'God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner.'" 


Yates  The  Missionary.  ii 

This  short  prayer  has  remdincd  with  me  from  that  day  to  the 
present  time.  It  was  the  first  intimation  I  ever  had  that  I  was 
a  sinner.  And  "Tom"  Armstrong's  thundering  exhortation  to 
sinners — in  which  he  was  considered  to  be  "very  powerful," 
for  his  voice  was  Hke  the  roaring  of  a  lion,  kept  it  before  my 
mind  by  day  and  by  night  I  thought,  however,  that  he  was 
talking  to  the  grown  people,  for  he  never  talked  to  me  at  my 
father's  house  about  my  being  a  sinner.  At  a  subsequent  inter- 
view, Father  Purefoy  asked  me,  when  there  was  no  one  else 
present,  if  I  had  ever  prayed  as  he  taught  me.  I  replied  that 
I  did  not  know  where  to  pray.  And  he  said,  "Go  into  the 
woods  where  none  but  God  can  hear  you.     God  is  everywhere." 

That  was  my  last  interview  and  conversation  with  that  man 
of  God.  He  has  gone  to  his  reward  and  his  works  do  follow 
him.  He  was  eminently  a  practical  Christian.  His  labors  were 
not  confined  to  the  pulpit.  I  have  ever  felt  that  his  words  to 
me  were  words  spoken  in  season.  I  was  quite  young,  but  what 
he  said  gave  direction  to  my  whole  life. 

I  am  persuaded  that  ministers  of  the  gospel,  parents,  and 
Christians  generally  do  not  give  sufficient  attention  to  the 
religious  training  of  the  children  of  the  congregation,  T  mean 
personal  appeals  to  them  to  love  and  trust  the  Lord  Jesus. 
They  usually  have  a  high  respect  an(',  reverence  for  a  minister: 
and,  judging  by  my  own  experience,  a  solemn  word  spoken 
to  a  child  of  ten  years,  when  there  is  no  one  present  to  distract 
attention,  leaves  a  lasting  impression,  an  impression  that  may 
ultimately  be  blessed  to  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  It  is  what 
we  learn  in  our  youth  that  remains  with  us  through  life.  Then 
why  should  not  the  youthful  mind  be  guarded  against  the  evils 
which  beset  the  paths  of  the  young  by  a  knowledge  of  God's 
power  and  love  in  Jesus  Christ? 

When  I  was  about  twelve  years  old,  an  incident  occurred 
which  made  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind.  The  school  house 
where  I  was  attending  school  in,  I  think,  the  month  of  October, 
stood  under  the  shadow  of  a  magnificent  white  oak,  about  four 
feet  in  diameter.  The  end.',  of  its  limbs  were  so  low  that  they 
could  be  reached  by  the  boys  and  used  in  a  rustic  play  for 
bases.     During  recess,   while  the  teacher  was  absent,   and   the 


12  Yates  The  Missionary. 

boys  were  having  a  lively  play  under  the  spreading  limbs  of 
this  tree,  it  was  struck  by  'ightning  twice,  in  as  many  seconds, 
and  shivered  into  many  pieces,  even  down  to  the  ground. 
Providentially,  some  one  had  given  a  challenge,  to  which  all 
of  us,  fifteen  or  twenty  boys,  responded,  and  were  from  ten 
to  twenty  paces  from  the  tree.  Nonr  of  us  were  seriously  in- 
jured. We  were  pressed  to  the  ground,  as  if  by  a  great  weight, 
and  each  boy  had,  for  hours,  a  deep  red  spot,  as  large  as  a 
dollar,  on  some  part  of  his  body,  caused  by  the  electricity. 
The  heavens  had  been  overcast  all  day,  but  there  had  been 
neither  rain  nor  thunder.  It  was  regarded  as  a  remarkable 
phenomenon,  for  we  rarely  ever  had  thunder  in  October. 

This  incident,  so  sudden  and  unexpected,  and  so  terrific  in 
its  effect,  made  me  feel  that  truly  God  is  everywhere,  and  that 
I  was  a  sinner  and  must  pray.  There,  for  the  first  time,  I 
uttered  in  spirit  the  prayer  taught  me  by  Father  Purefoy,  whose 
image  has  remained  photographed  on  my  mind  to  the  present 
time.  I  that  day  resolved  to  follow  his  advice,  and  take  to 
the  woods  for  prayer.  The  next  morning,  when  I  went  into 
a  dense  forest  to  find  a  certain  lot  of  pigs — the  daily  care  of 
which  had  been  committed  to  me — I  sought  and  found,  in  a 
thick  brush,  a  large  oak  that  was  much  inclined  toward  the 
south,  where  I  would  be  protected  from  the  rain  and  snow  in 
winter.  There  I  erected  my  altar  of  prayer,  and  there,  for 
years,  I  prayed,  "God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner."  At  night, 
I  found  a  place  for  prayer  nearer  lome,  where  I  was  able  to 
pray  unobserved. 

In  my  prayers  I  made  all  sorts  of  promises,  that  if  God 
would  pardon  my  sins,  I  would  do  any  and  everything  in  my 
power  for  his  cause.  But  somehow  or  other,  in  my  ignorance, 
I  got  the  idea  that  when  I  iound  peace  (got  religion),  it  would 
be  at  a  protracted  or  camp-meeting;  and  my  prayers  were  put 
up  with  reference  to  meetings  appointed  to  take  place  several 
months  in  the  future.  I  attended  all  such  meetings  within  a 
reasonable  distance,  hoping  to  find  him  of  whom  i\Ioscs  in 
the  law  and  the  prophets  did  write  This  was  the  expression 
of  many  of  the  preachers  of  differen'  denominations,  to  whom 
I  listened  for  instruction.     I  did  not  have  a  clear  idea  of  just 


Yates  The  Missionary.  13 

what  it  meant.  I  knew  it  was  he  \.  horn  I  was  to  seek,  so  I 
secretly  read  the  books  of  Moses  and  the  prophets;  but  I 
found  that  they  wrote  of  so  many  persons  I  was  unal)le  to 
decide  of  whom  they  did  w'ite  in  particular.  In  my  bewildered 
state  of  mind  I  fell  back  'ipon  what  I  thought  I  knew.  "God 
be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner,  for  Jesus  sake,"  and  continued  to 
make  vows. 

This  state  of  things  continued  for  a  few  years.  About  this 
time,  Rev.  P.  W.  Dowd  became  the  pastor  of  Mount  Pisgah 
Church.  He  was  an  eloquent  and  able  preacher,  and  I  loved 
him  dearly:  but  he  did  not  talk  to  me  privately  about  my  state 
of  mind.  In  fact,  no  one  knew  it  but  God,  who  knoweth  all 
hearts.  When  I  was  about  fifteen,  T  presented  myself  at  the 
anxious  seat  for  prayer.  Father  Purefoy,  when  I  was  yet 
quite  young,  had  taught  mo  that  I  v/as  a  sinner,  and  that  God. 
who  had  mercy  on  sinners,  was  everywhere  present.  P.  W. 
Dowd,  when  I  was  better  able  to  comprehend,  taught  me  that 
God  had  revealed  himself  in  Jesus  Christ  as  a  God  of  mercy 
and  compassion  upon  all  who  put  their  trust  in  Jesus  and 
received  him  as  their  Saviour  and  Lord,  i.  e.,  one  whose  com- 
mands they  were  ready  to  obey  in  all  things.  This,  I  trust, 
I  was  able  to  do  at  the  camp-meeting  at  Mount  Pisgah  Church, 
in  1836.  I  had  looked  forward  to  this  meeting  as  the  time 
when  I  hoped  to  get  rid  of  my  burden,  and  to  be  enabled  to  feel 
that  Jesus  indeed  loved  me,  and  that  my  sins  were  pardoned. 
When  the  meeting  had  been  in  session  for  a  week  and  I  heard 
the  tent-holders  speak  of  brmging  it  to  a  close,  a  feeling  akin 
to  despair  came  over  me;  for  I  was  not  yet  saved,  and  there  was 
no  other  such  meeting  in  prospect.  With  the  feeling  that  there 
was  no  mercy  for  me,  I  went  into  the  woods,  where  I  could 
hear  no  noise,  prostrated  myself,  and  cried,  "O,  Lord,  help 
me!"  I  could  neither  feel  nor  say  anything  else.  I  had 
trusted  too  much  to  the  help  of  the  preachers.  Now  I  only 
wanted  help  from  the  Lord.  Whe.i  I  returned  to  the  tent  of 
Henry  Williams,  I  was  able  to  join  in  singing  the  praises  of 
God  and  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

At  the  close  of  the  camp-meeting  I  and  thirteen  others  pre- 
sented ourselves  as  candidates   for  baptism.     We  were  all   re- 


14  Yates  The  Missionary. 

ceived  and  baptized  by  Rev.  P.  W.  Dowd,  in  New  Hope  creek, 
at  Williams'  Mill.  I  had  looked  foiward  with  supreme  desire 
to  the  day  when  I  should  be  permitted  to  complete  my  obedience 
to  the  command  and  be  baptized.  I  had  fondly  hoped  that 
being  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism  would  complete  my  hap- 
piness; but  before  I  had  come  out  of  the  waters  of  New  Hope, 
many  thoughts  as  to  what  I  ought  to  do  next  came  rushing 
through  my  mind.  I  had  three  miles  to  walk  home,  and  I 
wished  to  be  alone.  So  I  slung  my  wet  clothes  on  a  stick  and 
started,  without  giving  notice  to  any  one  of  my  departure.  I 
had  not  gone  far  before  the  tempter  joined  me,  and  commenced 
the  following  colloquy:  "Well,  how  do  you  feel  now,  that 
you  have  been  baptized?  Are  you  as  happy  as  you  thought 
you  would  be?  Don't  you  think  you  made  a  spectacle  of  your- 
self? You  see  everyone  who  passes  on  horseback  looks  at  you, 
and  some  even  smile  at  you.  I  think  you  have  made  a  fool  of 
yourself;  for  I  am  sure  you  are  not  as  happy  as  you  expected 
to  be.  Now  that  you  have  reached  the  goal  of  baptism,  have 
cut  yourself  off  from  the  pleasures  of  the  young,  and  have 
joined  the  church,  what  do  you  intend  to  do?  Of  course  you 
are  too  young  and  inexperienced  to  make  any  further  exhibition 
of  yourself,  by  attempting  anything  within  the  church;  for  you 
have  learned  by  your  baptism  that  you  will  not  realize  all 
that  you  expect.  All  you  have  to  do  is  to  go  to  church  once 
a  month  and  do  about  as  you  see  other  people  do,  i.  e.,  wait 
for  the  older  members  to  take  the  lead.  You  know  it  is  not 
pleasant  to  be  laughed  at." 

By  this  time  I  was  half  way  home  and  had  become  so  be- 
wildered that  I  hardly  knew  whether  I  was  walking  or  standing 
still.  In  this  strange  state  of  mind  I  resolved  to  go  into  the 
woods  and  seek  a  quiet  place  for  prayer.  Satan  followed  me, 
and  whispered,  "O,  you  will  be  seen  here,  for  there  is  some 
one  passing  along  the  path  just  in  front  of  you."  I  turned  first 
in  one  and  then  in  another  direction,  and  behold,  some  one  was 
always  in  sight.  I  turned  and  prostrated  myself  by  the  side  of 
a  fallen  tree,  and  cried,  "Lord,  help  me!  Grant  me  deliverance 
from  the  power  of  Satan's  sore  temptation." 

When  I  had  been  praying  I  knov,    not  how  long,  I  heard  a 


Yates  The  Missionary.  15 

great  noise  in  the  leaves  on  the  other  side  of  the  fallen  tree, 
like  some  one  approaching  me.  It  became  so  demonstrative  that 
I  raised  myself  to  see  what  it  was.  And.  lo,  there  was  a  king 
snake,  not  more  than  two  and  a  haU  feet  long,  in  deadly  con- 
flict with  a  very  large  black  serpent  not  less  than  six  feet  long. 
The  noise  was  caused  by  the  struggle  of  the  black  snake  to 
prevent  being  doubled  by  his  assailant  into  the  form  of  a  rude 
ball.  The  striped  little  king  snake  was  entwined  in  and  out 
of  this  ball,  and  in  this  position,  by  alternate  contractions,  he 
crushed  the  bones  of  his  apparently  more  powerful  enemy,  and 
then  extricated  himself  and  crawled  quietly  away,  leaving  the 
black  snake  dead.  I  felt  that  it  was  good  to  be  there;  so  I 
again  resumed  my  supplication  an'',  thanksgiving,  and  then 
went  on  my  way  comforted  and  rejoicing,  feeling  that  this 
incident  taught  me  that  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  Jesus, 
was  able  to  conquer  even  the  old  serpent  himself.  And  in 
many  a  conflict  since,  I  have  had  evidence  of  his  presence  to 
protect,  comfort,  and  direct  me  in  the  way  I  should  go. 

That  day  and  night  I  rested  in  Jesus.  In  meditating  upon 
what  I  had  done,  and  upon  the  incident  of  the  day,  and  realiz- 
ing that  Jesus  on  the  cross  had  vanquished  Satan,  I  had  great 
joy.  Henceforth  the  burden  of  my  prayer  at  the  old  oak  tree 
and  elsewhere  was,  "Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  do?  Show 
me  my  duty,  and  grant  me  grace  and  courage  to  do  it." 


CHAPTER    II. 

A    STORY     OF    STRUGGLES 1836-1838 AGE     17"  IQ. 


HE  prevalent  type  of  religion  in  Baptist  churches, 
sixty  years  ago,  was,  in  some  respects,  widely 
dififerent  from  that  which  prevails  n(nv.  There 
have  been  great  gains.  There  have  also  been 
serious  losses.  There  was  then  comparatively  little 
aggressiveness.  But  there  were  deep  convictions.  More 
stress  was  laid  upon  experimental  religion.  This  was 
conceived  by  many  to  be  possible  only  to  an  adult  be- 


i6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

liever.  While  children  were  instructed  in  Bible  truth, 
their  conversion  was  usually  not  expected.  The  piety 
of  those  times  was  tinj^ed  witii  asceticism.  Not  only 
dancing,  but  all  games,  sports,  and  amusenicnts  were 
frowned  upon.  The  tendency  now  is  to  ovcimuch  fri- 
volity. 

The  fathers  were  steadfast  in  the  faith,  and  laid  great 
stress  on  soundness  in  doctrine.  Their  piet\ .  however, 
made  but  slight  demands  on  their  time,  their  purses,  or 
their  activities.  There  is  now  more  of  knovledge  and 
refinement  in  the  pulpit.  Then  there  was  more  of  unction 
and  pathos.  Stronger  emphasis  than  at  present  was  laid 
on  "the  live  points"  of  Calvinism.  It  was  freely  urged 
that  if  God  called  a  man  to  preach,  there  was  no  need 
for  human  interference  in  interpreting  or  insisting  upon 
the  call.  Hence  little  encouragement  was  given  to  the 
younger  members  by  the  older  as  to  the  exerMse  of  their 
gifts  in  public.  The  story  of  Matthew  Yates'  expeiiences, 
with  modifications,  may  perhaps  be  accepted  a.s  the  story 
of  the  struggles  of  most  of  the  men  who  entert  i  the  min- 
istry sixty  years  ago. 

From  the  time  Father  Purefoy  blessed  me,  and  told  me  where 
and  how  to  pray,  I  always  thought  that,  when  I  became  a  man 
and  a  Christian,  I  would  be  a  preacher.  Now  I  was  filled  with 
shame  and  confusion  for  having  had  such  thoughts.  Notwith- 
standing my  shrinking  from  the  responsibihty  of  so  sacred 
a  work,  all  my  vows  and  promises  to  work  for  Christ  when  I 
became  a  Christian,  come  home  to  me. 

At  first  my  prayer  was,  "Lord,  have  mercy  on  me,  a  sinner!" 
And  after  I  gave  myself  to  the  Lord  it  was.  "Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  do?"  At  first  he  made  me  feel  that  I  ought  to 
talk  to  my  unconverted  friends  of  my  own  age.  This  I  found 
very  hard  to  do.  So  I  did  a  little  at  a  time;  just  a  few  words, 
words  enough  to  make  them  thinV:  about  their  souls.  The 
devil  tried  to  make  me  quit  that;  but  after  a  tussle  with  him 
I  said,  "Satan,  get  thee  behind  me,  I  desire  none  of  thy  com- 
pany." Then  I  felt  strengthened  in  heart  to  do  more.  And  I 
had  more  courage. 


Yatks  The   Missionary.  17 

After  that,  when  I  was  larger,  the  Lord  made  me  feel  that 
I  ought  to  stand  up  and  speak  to  everybody  in  the  Sabbath 
school.  This  I  thought  I  could  not  do;  for  I  was  an  ignorant 
big  boy.  and  had  never  spoken  in  public.  But  the  Lord  by 
his  Spirit  kept  at  me  about  it.  Then  the  old  oak  tree  was 
dearer  than  ever;  for  I  was  in  trouble  about  what  I  ought  to 
do.  What  I  ought  to  do  seemed  plain  as  a  sunbeam;  but  how 
could  I  do  it!  But  the  Lord  wouKl  not  let  me  off.  The  way 
kept  getting  clearer  and  brighter.  So  I  finally  agreed  that  I 
would  try.  All  that  week,  while  1  was  plowing,  I  was  pre- 
paring my  speech  for  the  Sabbath  school  and  country  people 
for  next  Sunday.  I  often,  in  my  abstraction  of  mind,  plowed 
up  the  corn  and  cotton  that  I  was  siding,  and  had  to  stop  and 
transplant  it;  and  sometimes  I  got  a  scolding  for  my  careless- 
ness. 

Well,  Sunday  came,  and  I  weni.  to  the  dear  old  Mount 
Pisgah  Church,  rehearsing  all  the  way  for  two  and  one-half 
miles.  The  nearer  I  got,  the  more  scared  and  weak-kneed  I 
became.  Wlien  the  Sabbath  school  was  over,  and  the  proper 
time  came  to  speak,  I  could  not  rise  I  hesitated  and  hesitated 
till  my  father,  the  only  man  in  church  who  prayed  in  public, 
closed  tne  school;  and  I  went  away  cast  down,  with  my  speech 
undelivered.  But  I  promised  the  Lord  that  I  would  do  it  the 
next  Sunday.  Another  week  of  preparation  and  another  Sun- 
day passed  as  the  first,  and  thus  it  continued  for  more  than  a 
year.  I  thought,  "O,  that  somebody  would  ask  me  to  speak 
or  lead  in  prayer!"  But  at  that  time  they  were  not  a  praying 
people.  But  the  Lord  would  not  Ici  me  go.  He  followed  me 
to  the  old  oak  tree,  and  said,  "Fear  not  the  face  of  man;  I  am 
with  thee."  If  I  had  not  had  a  placfi  of  prayer,  I  fear  I  should 
have  slipped  up, 

I  determined  to  break  through  this  terrible  state  of  mind. 
So  I  proposed  to  two  young  men  who  had  been  baptized  at 
the  same  time  with  myself  to  join  with  me  in  conducting  a 
prayer  meeting  at  the  church  Sunaay  afternoons;  and  they 
agreed  to  do  so.  I  spoke  to  the  pasior,  P.  W.  Dowd,  about  it. 
He  was  delighted,  and  gave  it  out  ihat  next  Sunday  afternoon 
2 


i8  Yates  The  Missionary. 

there  would  be  a  prayer  meeting  at  the  church,  conducted  by 
A,  B,  and  C.  All  eyes  turned  upon  us.  The  next  Sunday  when 
we  went  to  church  it  was  about  hill.  There  were  the  old 
brethren  and  sisters  in  thi  amen  corners,  with  their  elbows 
on  their  knees  and  their  chins  resting  on  their  palms  or  be- 
tween their  thumb  and  forefingers,  taking  a  dead  rest  at  us. 
Silence  reigned.  You  could  have  heard  a  pin  drop.  Each  of 
us  three  who  were  committed  waited  for  the  other  to  commence. 
Finally,  when  the  silence  became  painful,  I  rose  and  gave  out 
a  hymn,  which  was  joined  m  very  heartily,  and  I  led  in  prayer. 
I  had  not  prayed  long  before  the  wicked  one  said  to  me,  "Well, 
now  you  have  done  it.  You  have  disgraced  yourself  and  done 
the  cause  more  harm  than  good.  You  had  better  quit,  and  never 
try  again."  By  that  time  I  began  to  think  so,  too,  and  rounded 
up  as  best  I  could.  Without  looking  at  the  people  I  announced 
another  hymn,  and  then  called  on  one  of  the  brethren  to  pray. 
He  made  a  bad  show,  worse  than  I  did.  I  am  sure  Satan  at- 
tacked him  in  the  same  way  that  he  did  me.  And  he  very  soon 
rounded  off  badly.  I  called  for  another  hymn,  then  asked  the 
third  man  to  pray.  He  did  worse  than  the  last  man;  not  be- 
ing able  to  round  up,  he  just  quit  by  saying  amen.  I  thought 
"I  did  not  do  so  badly  after  all.  I  will  appoint  another  meet- 
ing." But  the  next  Sunday  neither  of  those  brethren  came. 
And  I  have  never  heard  of  either  of  them  leading  in  prayer 
since  that  Sunday.  I  guess  they  did  not  have  a  place  for  daily 
prayer. 

The  Lord  met  me  at  the  old  stooping  oak  and  told  me  that 
it  was  my  duty  to  preach  the  gospel.  Surely,  I  thought,  I 
must  be  mistaken,  for  I  have  but  little  education,  and  I  cannot 
preach.  I  tried  for  days  and  months  to  make  something  else 
my  duty.  But  the  Lord,  by  his  Spirit,  said,  "No;  this  is  your 
duty,  walk  yc  in  it."  I  promised  thi  Lord  that  I  would  prepare 
myself  to  be  a  school  teacher,  and  would  be  an  active  member 
of  the  church. 

I  was  willing  and  ever  ready  to  pray  in  public,  but  that  did 
not  quiet  my  conscience.  I  felt  an  irrepressible  conviction 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  exhort  my  companions  to  flee  the  wrath 
to  come.     But  how  could  I,  whose  education  was  so  defective. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  19 

think  of  such  a  thing?  My  perplexity  of  mind  was  very  great. 
I  was  concerned,  not  so  much  to  know  what  I  ought  to  do, 
for  that  was  evident,  as  to  know  how  far  I  could  resist  my  con- 
victions of  duty,  and  yet  be  faithful  to  God  and  my  fellow 
men.  For  the  only  excuse  I  could  render  to  God  for  not"  at- 
tempting what  I  felt  to  be  my  duty,  was  my  inability  to  speak 
well  in  public,  and  that  excuse  did  not  release  me. 

In  that  state  of  mind,  which  was  known  only  to  myself  and 
to  him  who  knoweth  all  hearts,  I  could  think  of  nothing 
better  to  do  than  to  continue  at  my  places  for  prayer,  and  all 
the  day  long,  as  I  followed  the  plow  to  pray,  "Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  do?"  Sometimes  I  was  able  to  leave  my  places 
of  prayer  with  the  full  determination  to  follow  the  directions  of 
the  Spirit,  feeling  assured  that  God  would  not  require  more  of 
me  than  he  would  enable  me  to  perform.  This  determination 
never  failed  to  bring  relief.  I  would  set  to  work  preparing  an 
exhortation  for  the  next  monthly  meeting.  I  imagined  that 
I  had  something  appropriate  to  every  man  I  knew;  for  they 
all  passed  before  me,  in  my  mental  preparation,  and  my  heart 
yearned  after  them,  even  unto  tears.  It  seemed  so  long  a  time 
from  one  meeting  to  the  next.  I  often  wondered  why  the 
church  did  not  meet  for  v/orship  every  Sabbath.  Sometimes 
my  heart  would  tremble  lest  I  should  not  be  able  to  rise  be- 
fore a  large  congregation.  This,  again,  would  give  place  to 
a  sweet  reliance  on  God  that  would  enable  me  to  rejoice  when 
the  day  for  going  up  to  the  house  of  prayer  arrived.  There 
were  the  people,  and  theie  were  opportunities,  but  no  one 
expected  me  to  say  anything;  and  how  could  I,  a  great,  green 
boy,  summon  courage  enough  to  say  by  my  actions  that  I  was 
anxious  to  engage  in  so  sacred  and  responsible  a  work  as 
preaching  Christ?     I  could  not  rise  and  face  the  audience. 

Thus,  month  after  month,  with  confusion  of  face,  I  went  away 
from  church  with  my  speech  undelivered;  and  thus  I  passed  the 
sixteenth  and  seventeenth  years  of  my  life,  ever  seeking  to 
know'  what  the  Lord  would  have  me  to  do,  and  never  without 
a  clear  conviction  of  what  was  my  duty;  always  resolving  that 
at  the  next  meeting  I  would  commence  my  work,  and  yet  never 
able  to  perform  it.     I  felt  that  the  great  barrier  in  the  way  was 


20  Yates  The  Missionary. 

my  want  of  an  education,  without  which  I  could  not  over- 
come the  insurmountable  difficulties  in  the  way  of  my  at- 
tempting public  speaking;  and  that  desideratum  seemed  to  be 
beyond  my  reach,  for  I  was  then  a  full-grown  man. 

My  experience  as  a  young  Christian,  trying  to  find  the  path 
of  duty,  and  my  observations  of  the  practice  of  pastors  of 
churches  since  1836,  and  the  effect  of  such  practices  upon  the 
churches  and  the  world  at  large,  have  impressed  me  with  the 
idea  that  there  is  a  fatal  defect  somewhere.  The  practice  of 
baptizing  new  converts  into  the  churches  and  leaving  them, 
without  any  special  instruction,  to  derive  from  the  stated  min- 
istration of  the  pulpit  such  spiritual  food  as  is  within  their 
reach,  to  find  out  their  duty  to  God  and  man,  and  to  grow  up 
into  Christ  the  best  they  can  (as  was  the  case  in  my  young 
days),  is  certainly  not  in  accordance  with  the  command  of 
Christ,  "teaching  them  to  observe  all  things,  whatsoever  I  have 
commanded  you." 

Should  not  their  pastor — no  one  can  take  his  place — on  the 
day  of  their  baptism,  and  tor  some  time  afterwards  have  these 
new  converts  alone,  and  give  them  their  first  lesson  in  religious 
life — teach  them  how  to  pray,  and  what  to  pray  for?  Yea, 
have  each  one,  there  and  then,  lead  in  prayer  for  what  he 
wants.  At  that  stage  they  can  and  may  be  induced  to  pray. 
In  a  word,  show  them  how  to  commence  a  religious  life,  and 
encourage  them  in  it.  Watch  them  closely  and  know  the 
workings  of  their  minds  and  lead  them  into  useful  religious 
work.  If  pastors  of  churciies  woula  do  this,  they  would  soon 
find  no  scarcity  of  men  and  women  to  conduct  meetings  in 
different  localities,  and  perform  good  work.  A  new  life  would 
spring  up  in  the  churches,  and  the  desert  would  soon  blossom 
as  a  rose.     This  is  what  I  needed  and  what  I  craved. 

Without  this  fostering  care,  from  the  day  of  their  baptism, 
a  large  proportion  of  those  who  do  not  die,  for  the  want  of  life, 
will  be  rent  by  doubts  and  temptations,  and,  for  the  want  of  ex- 
ercise will  become  religious  dwarfs.  Left  to  themselves,  they  will 
never  be  able  to  find  anything  to  do  in  the  church,  or  to  feel 
that  it  is  their  duty  to  do  anything  for  the  glory  of  Christ  in 


Yates  The  Missionary.  21 

their   midst,   or   for   the    extension    of   his   kingdom    in    regions 
beyond. 

Who  is  responsible  for  the  loss,  to  the  church  and  the  world, 
of  the  thousands  of  men  now  in  th-  learned  and  other  profes- 
sions, who.  during  their  early  Christian  life  doubtless  had  some- 
thing like  my  experience  and  convictions  of  duty,  but  who, 
for  the  want  of  timely  instructions  and  guidance,  or  even  a 
word  of  sympathy  from  their  pastors  quailed  before  the  dif- 
ficulties in  their  way,  and  successfully  resisted  and  stifled  their 
convictions  of  duty? 

My  conscience  constrains  me  to  confess,  that  much  of  the 
responsibility  rests  with  us  pastors,  who  have  the  guidance  of 
God's  host,  and  have  failed  to  take  the  young  members  by  the 
hand  and  gently  lead  them  into  some  good  work. 

By  this  time  I  felt  conscious  that  T  could  never  be  happy  as 
a  farmer,  and  that  God  had  something  else  for  me  to  do.  After 
prayerful  consideration  of  my  situation,  I  managed,  by  a  com- 
promise, to  put  off  to  some  future  day  the  final  decision  in  re- 
gard to  my  life  work.  I  promised  my  conscience  that,  late 
as  it  was,  I  would  take  steps  to  acquire  an  education  that 
would  enable  me  to  teach  a  high  school,  which  would  be  a 
great  blessing  to  the  neigliborhood;  that  I  would  become  an 
active  member  in  the  church,  and  would,  on  all  suitable  oc- 
casions, exhort  sinners  to  repent  and  be  saved. 

With  this  end  in  view,  I  ventured  to  ask  my  father  to  give 
me  my  portion  of  goods  then  in  the  form  of  an  education,  as 
I  had  a  conviction  that  farming  would  not  be  my  vocation  in 
life.  He  regretted  extremely  his  inability  to  send  all  his  children 
abroad  to  a  good  school,  and  said  that  for  him  to  attempt  to 
send  me  would  be  making  an  invidious  distinction.  I  then 
told  him  that  when  I  became  a  free  man  I  intended  to  go  to 
school  if  I  had  to  make  brick  by  moonlight  to  pay  my  way, 
and  asked  him  if  he  would  allow  me  liberty  to  go  to  school 
on  my  own  responsibility  when  J  was  nineteen,  the  age  at 
which  my  oldest  brother  had  married.  To  this  he  assented, 
and  promised  to  assist  me  some.  W^'th  desire  I  looked  forward 
to  the  next  year,  when  I  hoped,  with  the  proceeds  of  my  horse, 
saddle,  and  bridle,  to    commence    preparation    for    new    work. 


22  Yates  The  Missionary. 

I  felt  that  God  had  something  for  tne  to  do  in  the  world,  and 
that  my  first  duty  was  to  prepare  myself  for  it.  As  I  was  a 
full-grown  man  and  had  not  the  means  to  accomplish  what  I 
had  set  before  me,  the  prospect  seemed  dark  indeed.  But  T 
resolved  that,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  I  would  make  a  way — 
that  no  obstacle,  that  could  be  overcome  by  human  effort, 
should  be  regarded  as  insurmouniable.  This  decision,  made 
upon  my  i-cnees,  gave  me  courage  and  atTorded  some  reliet. 
Thenceforth  the  object  which  I  had  set  before  me  was  the 
center  around  which  all  my  thoughts,  prayers,  plans,  and  hopes 
revolved. 

Soon  after  this  decision  was  made,  I  commenced  my  last 
quarter  at  an  old  field  school.  Here,  where  there  were  many 
grown  young  men,  and  the  house  being  in  an  old  field,  I  had 
some  difficulty  in  finding  a  quiet  piace  for  prayer  and  medita- 
tion. After  some  days  of  exploration,  I  came  upon  a  deep 
gully,  a  sharp  turn  in  which  was  well  concealed  from  view  by 
a  thick  bush  of  dogwood.  Here,  by  placing  a  bit  of  board 
across  the  gully  to  raise  my  knees  above  the  rivulet,  I  inquired 
of  the  Lord,  and  enjoyed  many  precious  seasons  of  prayer. 
I  next  sought  a  suitable  place  whc?e  I  could  sit  unobserved 
and  read  and  meditate  upon  the  word  of  God.  This  I  found 
in  a  thick  pine  bush,  where,  with  my  knife,  I  soon  made  a 
brush  house,  closed  at  the  north  and  on  the  two  sides  and 
overhead,  to  protect  me  from  the  cold  wind,  and  open  to  the 
south  to  admit  the  warm  sun  and  light. 

Here,  in  this  brush  house,  I  studied  the  Bible  during  recess, 
and  meditated  upon  the  riches  of  the  love  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  upon  the  dark  future.  While  the  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  accomplishing  the  object  I  liad  in  view  at  times  seemed 
insurmountable,  I  was  never  without  hope  that  He  who  had 
inspired  me  with  the  desire  to  serve  and  honor  Him  would 
throw  light  upon  my  way.  This  hope,  I  observed,  was  always 
strongest  after  a  season  of  prayer  at  the  old  oak  tree  in  the 
morning,  in  the  gully  at  noon,  and  in  the  stable  at  night,  when 
I  fed  my  horse.  Often,  for  days,  I  felt  the  keenest  compunction 
for  failing  to  obey,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  the  clear  con- 
victions of  my  heart. 


Yatks  The   Missionary.  23 


CHAPTER    III. 

Ti-LLS    WHAT    HORSE.    SADDLE,    AND    BRIDLE    Ii  ::LPED    TO 
PAY  FOR — 1838-1846— AGE   I9-27. 

Mr.  Yates'  reminiscences  now  tell  of  his  student  life 
in  academy  and  college. 

As  the  time  drew  near  when  I  would  be  at  liberty  to  com- 
mence my  career  in  pursuit  of  an  education,  it  became  a  matter 
of  important  inquiry  as  to  what  school  I  should  attend.  My 
pastor,  Mr.  Dowd,  who  seemed  to  have  an  intuitive  perception 
of  my  thoughts  and  aims,  and  of  the  enterprise  upon  which  I 
was  about  to  set  out.  recommended  Wake  Forest  Hill  Academy, 
distant  from  home  thirty-four  miles:  and  I,  of  course,  took  his 
advice. 

In  the  northern  portion  of  Wake  Count\  is  Wake 
Forest  Township,  which  owes  its  name  to  the  magnifi- 
cent forest  of  oak  which  originally  extended  for  many 
miles.  In  this  section,  about  three  miles  fiom  Wake 
Forest  College,  was  the  excellent  private  academy  of 
Mr.  G.  W.  Thompson.  This  gentleman,  who  .Jterwards 
represented  his  district  in  the  State  senate,  wsi  a  man  of 
;!ffairs,  of  large  influence,  and,  withal,  of  deep  and  in- 
telligent piety.  His  useful  life  was  prolonged  for  very 
many  years,  and  to  the  last  he  took  delight  in  telling  of 
the  piety  and  industry  of  his  former  pupil. 

Early  in  the  year  1838,  with  my  trunk  well  filled  with  nice 
things,  prepared  by  my  dear  mother  and  sisters,  I  took  leave 
of  the  parental  roof,  for  the  first  time,  to  be  absent  five  months. 
Never  shall  I  forget  how  deeply  in-pressed  I  was  with  a  sense 
of  my  dependence  upon  God.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Fleming, 
with  whom  it  had  been  arranged  for  me  to  board,  near  the 
academy,  received  me  cordially  anO  treated  me  kindly,  and 
proved  to  be  the  excellent  of  the  eaith.     The  next  day  I  was 


24  Yates  The  Mis£ionary. 

introduced  to  the  teacher  of  the  acL.demy,  George  W.  Thomp- 
son, whom  1  found  to  be  a  man  oi  small  stature,  intelligent, 
afYable,  and  evidently  a  good  man.  On  the  whole,  I  was  much 
pleased  with  my  prospects,  and  was  able  to  rejoice  in  the  good 
Providence  that  had  guided  me  thus  far. 

As  Mr.  Fleming  had  three  other  boarders,  who  occupied  the 
same  large  room  with  me,  I  found  it  necessary  to  resort  to 
the  woods  again  for  an  altar  of  prayer,  without  which  I  could 
not  feel  that  my  communion  with  God  was  satisfactory.  And 
as  the  undergrowth  about  the  academy  was  very  sparse,  I 
had  some  difficulty  in  finding  a  suitable  place. 

Finally  I  found  in  the  midst  of  a  majestic  forest  an  immense 
hollow  oak  tree  standing  in  a  ravine.  I  cleaned  oui  tht  hollow 
and  made  a  plank  floor  to  protect  me  from  the  dampness,  for 
li:  was  big  enough  for  me  to  turn  around  in.  Thither  I  went 
every  morning  just  before  daylight.  This  hollow  tree,  in  the 
ravine  and  before  daylight,  was  darker  than  Egypt.  But  I  was 
a^'raid  of  neither  snakes  nor  devils,  for  I  knew  that  ll.'C  Lord 
was  with  me  there. 

I  became  more  and  more  impressed  with  the  idea  that  my 
compromise  would  not  bring  me  comfort,  and  that  it  was  my 
duty  to  preach  the  gospel.  I  kept  these  thoughts  to  myself, 
and  felt  all  the  time  that  I  was  on  trial.  Consequently  I  had 
little  or  no  religious  enjoyment,  feeling  that  I  was  living  in  the 
neglect  of  duty.  I  often  wondered  if  other  people  had  any 
fi'ch  impressions  about  religious  duty,  and  what  they  did  with 
such  impressions. 

One  rainy  morning,  just  at  the  ciack  of  day  in  that  ravine, 
I  was  disturbed  by  a  noise  outside.  I  must  have  oeen  praying 
audibly,  for  I  heard  some  one  say:  "Who  dat?"  I  stopped 
for  a  moment,  and  then  began  praying  again.  I  was  startled 
by  a  terrible  yell  outside.  I  peeped  out  and  saw  an  oM  negro 
man  running  down  the  hill  as  fast  as  he  could,  v  ith  a  basket 
of  corn  on  his  arm,  and  the  corn  flying  in  every  direction,  as 
he  cried:  "Oh,  lordy,  have  mercy  on  this  poor  nigger,  for  the 
day  of  judgment  am  come,  and  Fse  not  ready."  Then  I  under- 
stood the  situation.  My  colored  friend's  road  to  his  pig-pen 
passed  near  my  house  of  prayer.     I  frightened  him  more  than 


Yates  The  Missionary.  25 

he  did  nic.     But  I   hope  it  did  him  good.     I  never  knew  the 
Old  man  to  pass  that  way  again. 

At  the  end  of  the  session  I  went  home  for  a  month,  and  then 
returned  at  the  commencement  of  the  next  session  to  my  same 
boarding  house  and  hollow  oak. 

The  year  1839  I  taught  a  school  at  Alount  Pisgah  Church, 
in  order  to  secure  the  necessary  funds  to  continue  my  studies. 
The  walk  to  and  from  my  school  (twc  and  a  half  miles)  afforded 
time  and  opportunity  for  meditation,  and,  by  the  side  of  an 
old  pine,  in  a  thick  bush,  not  far  from  the  camp  ground,  I 
found  a  suitable  place  for  prayer  at  noon.  It  was  a  year  of 
great  mental  conflict  and  spiritual  dearth;  for  I  was  living  in 
the  neglect  of  known  duty.  I  had  not  presented  my  body  a 
living  sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable  unto  God,  which  was  my 
reasonable  service.  To  pray  the  prayer,  "Lord,  what  wilt  thou 
have  me  do,"  seemed  a  mockery.  The  Spirit  of  Truth  seemed 
to  indicate  clearly  that  the  ministry  was  my  vocation,  but  I 
did  not  feel  worthy  to  engage  in  so  sacred  and  responsible  a 
work,  for  I  knew  1  was  not  prepared  for  it. 

The  study  of  geography  and  history  during  the  last  session 
at  school  had  made  me  somewhat  acquainted  with  the  moral 
condition  of  the  millions  in  other  lands,  who  were  destitute 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  and  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  way 
of  life.  I  thought  it  strange  that  so  little  was  said  from  the 
pulpit  about  the  heathen  who  weie  worshiping  dumb  idols— 
the  images  of  dead  men,  or  of  imaginary  beings.  While  med- 
itating on  the  tenth  of  Romans,  th»:  suggestion  came  to  me. 
"Why  should  you  wait  for  others?  Why  should  you  not  go" 
and  teach  the  heathen  the  way  of  life?"  This  question  remained 
with  me  by  day  and  by  night.  The  impracticability  of  this 
/dea  added  much  to  my  perplexity  01  mind. 

I  now  had  two  great  questions  t  *  solve:  First,  Shall  I  make 
known  to  my  friends  that  I  feel  that  I  am  called  to  preach 
the  gospel?  Second,  Is  it  my  duly  to  go  far  hence  to  the 
Gentiles?  As  I  was  not  prepared  to  do  either,  I  thought  it 
best  to  keep  these  thoughts  to  mysell. 

Early  in  1840  I  returned  to  the  academy  and  went  to  board 
with  my  teacher,  Mr.  Thompson.     There  I  had  a  room  to  my- 


26  Yates  The  Missionary. 

self,  a  small  brick  office  in  the  garden.  In  this  quiet  retreat  I  had 
every  convenience  for  study,  prayer,  and  meditation.  These 
facilities  only  intensified  my  mental  conflict;  for,  whenever  I 
was  not  engaged  with  my  studies,  the  subject  of  my  duty  to 
God  and  man  was  ever  before  my  mind,  demanding  a  decision. 
At  times  I  tried  to  dismiss  it  from  my  thoughts  by  engaging 
in  boyish  sports,  but  the  effect  of  these  attempts  was  only 
momentary. 

Before  the  end  of  the  session  I  was  made  to  realize  that,  in 
resisting  my  convictions  of  duty,  I  was  committhig  a  great 
sin,  that  I  was  driving  from  me  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Comforter, 
and  that  I  could  not  expect  happiness  in  this  life,  except  in  the 
path  of  duty. 

I  spent  one  Sabbath  afternoon  in  earnest  prayer  for  guidance 
and  for  grace  to  do  my  duty.  And  there  and  then,  upon  my 
knees  in  that  small  brick  Oihce,  I  was  enabled  to  make  a  com- 
plete surrender  of  myself,  soul  and  body,  a  living  sacrifice  unto 
God,  to  do  whatsoever  the  Spirit  of  Truth  might  point  out  as 
my  duty  in  life,  and  to  go  wheresoever  he  might  assign  me  my 
work.  Feeling  that  I  was  m  the  presence  of  the  Holy  One,  I 
said,  "O  Lord,  I  am  conscious  that  I  am  not  now  fitted  for 
so  great  a  work  as  preaching  the  gospel,  but  I  will  use  my  best 
efforts  to  improve  the  talents  thou  hast  given  me,  and  will  use 
them  to  the  best  of  my  ability  in  thy  service,  and  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  thy  kingdom.  Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  to  thee, 
use  me  for  thy  glory  whensoever  and  wheresoever  it  seemeth 
good  in  thy  sight." 

This  surrender  brought  great  relief  and  comfort  to  my  weary 
soul.  I  went  up  to  the  house  about  twilight,  found  Brother 
Thompson  alone  on  the  po'-tico,  and  told  him  the  impressions 
T  had  had  for  years  and  the  decision  to  which  I  had  come.  He 
encouraged  me,  and  warned  me  agi:inst  resisting  the  Spirit  o/ 
God. 

Mr.  Thompson  wrote  some  years  ago  this  account  of 
the  interview: 

On  my  return,  one  day,  from  the  Academy,  Mr.  Yates  in- 
vited me  to  his  room  for  a  private  and  confidential  mierview. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  27 

Then  it  was  that,  amidst  an  overflow  of  tender  'emotion,  he 
expressed  to  me  tiie  impressions  of  his  mind  on  the  subject 
of  the  ministry.  When  1  had  heard  him  through,  he  asked  me 
to  advise  him  and  tell  him  what  to  do,  remarking  at  the  same 
lime  that  he  felt  as  though  he  would  be  willing  to  go  to  a  land 
of  heathenism  to  preach  the  gospel,  were  he  competent  for 
^l1ch  a  work. 

I  advised  him  not  to  resist  his  impressions,  and  assured  him 
that  God  would  direct  his  steps. 

The  reminiscences  continue  the  story: 

I  also  wrote  my  impressions  to  my  fiiend  J.  L.  Prichard,  who 
was  about  to  graduate  at  Wake  Forest  College.  He  showed 
my  letter  to  Rev.  Samuel  Wait,  tlie  president  of  the  college, 
•vho  invited  me  to  call  and  see  hin:  at  the  college.  I  did  so, 
and  in  a  long  interview  told  him  something  of  my  experience. 
His  noble  heart  melted  towards  me.  He  at  once  urged  me 
to  come  to  college  without  delay  and  commence  a  regular 
course  of  study  with  the  view  of  fitting  myself  for  more  effective  i- 
work  in  the  world.  I  urged  my  age  (then  twenty-one)  and  the 
want  of  the  necessary  funds  as  a  bar  to  such  an  undertaking. 
He  replied,  "Never  mind,  never  n'nid,  where  there  is  a  will 
tlicre  is  a  way.  The  State  C(.nventi(  n  will  help  you;  come  to 
college;  come  next  session." 

In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Wait,  written  more  than  a  year  after 
his  arrival  in  China,  Mr.  Yates  referred  to  this  'nterview. 

Shanghai,  September  20.  1848. 
To  Rev.  Sanmel  Wait,  D.D: 

My  mind  recurs  with  pleasure  to  my  first  interview  with  you. 
This  was  in  the  spring  of  1840,  and  was  the  result  of  a  lettc 
wliich  I  had  addressed  to  Rev.  J.  L.  Prichard  in  regard  to 
my  education,  and  my  call  to  the  ministry  and  the  foreign 
field.  That,  though  late,  was  an  important  epoch  in  my  life. 
1  he  measures  then  adopted  in  my  behalf  had,  and  w:!l  have, 
an  important  bearing  on  my  career  in  life. 

I  often  review  with  much  pleasure  my  connection  v^th  you 
in  college.     The  five  years   I   passed  at  Wake   Forest  were  to 


28  Yates  The  Missionary. 

me  happy  >ears,  and  I  now  more  clearly  see  than   I  '-I'd  then 
that  they  were  the  most  important  days  of  my  early  lite. 

Dr.  Yates  continues  his  narrative  as  follows: 

As  I  had  resolved  to  consecrate  my  life  to  the  service  of  God, 
I  thought  that  I  would  give  the  matter  prayerful  consideration, 
consult  a  few  wise  and  pru'lent  friendir-,  and  then  do  what  might 
seem  to  be  for  the  glory  of  God.  Mr  Thompson,  Rev.  Thomas 
Meredith,  then  the  editor  of  the  Biblical  Recorder,  and  my 
old  pastor,  Mr.  Dowd,  all  advised  me,  notwithstanding 
my  age,  to  go  to  college.  They  also  promised  their  influence 
to  secure  aid  from  the  Baptist  State  Convention.  As  I  had 
resolved  never  to  disobey  again  the  voice  of  Providence,  I 
prepared  to  go  to  Wake  Forest  College,  and  entered  at  the 
opening  of  the  session,  in  August,  ^.840.  I  had  to  begin  with 
a  class  of  boys,  in  what  was  then  tlie  preparatory  department. 
President  Wait,  seeing  the  humiliating  contrast,  consoled  me 
by  saying,  "Never  mind;  it  is  a  horse  and  a  pony  race;  a  horse 
will  outrun  a  pony  in  a  long  race." 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Convention,  then  a  comparatively 
small  body,  I  was  adopted  as  its  beneficiary.  I  was  aided 
during  my  entire  collegiate  course  and  I  have  never  ceased 
to  be  profoundly  grateful.  While  in  college  I  taught 
singing  schools  at  the  college  and  in  the  country 
churches,  to  meet,  as  far  as  possible,  various  incidental  expenses. 
During  my  entire  course,  no  one  ever  discovered  my  bush  house 
of  prayer,  where  I  never  ceased  to  seek  light  from  above. 

Siiljscquent  pages  of  this  record  will  show  that  the 
gratitude  to  which  Mr.  Yates  jcferred  did  not  exhaust 
itself  in  sentiment.  He  was  a  constant  contributor,  dur- 
nig  the  last  years  of  his  life,  to  aid  in  the  education  of 
ministers  at  Wake  Forest,  and  he  gave  to  the  Endow- 
ment and  to  the  Students'  Aid  Fund  at  least  six  thousand 
dollars.  The  Seminary  in  Louisville,  and  Richmond 
A  College  also,  as  will  be  seen,  received  large  gifts  from 
him. 

Four  honored,  and  now  venerable,  alumm  of  Wake 
Forest  have  kindlv  furnished  some  of  their  renaniscences 


Yates  Tin-:   AIissionarv.  '  29 

of  the  student  life  of  Dr.  Yates.  It  will  be  iioiiced  that 
these  geutlenieii  were  intimate  with  him  at  different 
periods.  1  lie  first  two  tell  of  his  earlier  years  m  college. 
Dr.  J.  H.  Lane,  of  Marlboro  County.  S.  C,  who  was 
a  student  at  Wake  Forest  from  1838  to  1841,  writes: 

Yates  was  the  superintendent  of  a  Sunday  school  at  Wake 
Union  Chnrch,  about  a  mile  from  the  college.  I  was  an  assistant 
in  the  school.  In  this  way  we  were  thrown  together  and  be- 
came, first  friends,  and  then  room-mates.  There  was  never  the 
slightest  jar  in  our  friendship.  He  w?s  a  quiet,  dignified  young 
man,  but  good  company  and,  in  everything,  a  perfect  gentle- 
man. He  was  quite  tall  and  well  formed.  He  dressed  plainly, 
but  always  neatly.  Yates  was  not  a  brilliant  student,  but,  on 
the  contrary,  was  slow.  He  was,  however,  very  persevering 
and  thorough. 

While  I  roomed  with  him,  he  haH.  symptoms  of  the  throat 
trouble  that  annoyed  him  in  his  subsequent  career.  Having  the 
idea  that  stooping  over  his  books  made  his  throat  w^orse,  he 
had  a  desk  made  high  enough  to  stand  at  while  studying.  I 
can  vividly  recall  his  tall  form  as  he  stood  at  that  desk,  and  it 
seems  to  me  that  he  always  stood  there.  He  rarely  spoke  of 
himself  or  of  his  plans  after  leavinc;  college.  When  he  did  so, 
he  always  declared  that  he  intended  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the 
heathen. 

A  few  weeks  before  his  death  in  August,  1896, 
Rev.  J.  A.  W.  Thomas,  of  Bennettsville,  S.  C,  wrote: 

My  intercourse  and  association  with  Yates  during  the  session 
we  were  together  at  Wake  Forest,  in  1841,  was  more  intimate 
from  the  fact  that  he  and  Lane  were  room-mates.  There  were 
but  two  other  students  besides  Lane  and  myself  from  South 
Carohna,  and,  quite  natur-illy,  we  were  often  together.  This 
brought  us  into  the  "corner  room,'"  Number  37,  where  slept 
and  studied  the  great  missionary.  Lut  I  doubt  if  either  of  us 
ever  thought  that  the  modest,  quiet  young  man  was  ever  to 
attain  to  distinction  in  scholarship,  or  in  anything  else  than 
purity  of  heart  and  conse>-ration  to  Christ.  We  all  felt  the 
infiuence  of  his  piety.     But,  as  I  remember,  we  all  thought  that 


30  Yates  The  Missionary. 

he  was  a  plodder.  His  application  was  close,  but  he  took  in 
things  slowly.  We  were  members  of  the  same  literary  society; 
and  I  used  to  marvel  how  it  was  thni  young  men  below  him  in 
the  classes,  of  fewer  years,  and  of  less  application  to  study, 
could  worst  him  in  debate.  But  T  long  ago  learned  to  admire 
him  the  more  when  the  plodder  had  become  a  leader  in  the 
world  of  letters  as  well  as  in  Christian  service.  After  Yates 
went  to  China,  he  seemed  to  make  a  second  growth  physically 
and  intellectually  and  he  ':!istanced  all  his  competitors  of  the 
session  of  '41-2.     But  we  reioiced  in  his  success. 

Mr.  Menalcus  Lankford,  who  was  a  fellow  student  with 
Yates  from  1841  to  1845,  has  contributed  the  following 
reminiscences.  These,  as  well  as  those  of  Dr.  Solomon, 
which  follow,  suggest  that  between  the  beginning  and 
the  end  of  his  college  course  there  was  a  marked  de- 
velopment in  the  man,  the  student,  and  the  debater. 

Yates  was  an  early  riser,  and  often  did  his  best  studying 
before  sunrise.  During  one  college  term,  I  roomed  immediately 
over  him,  his  room  being  at  that  time  on  the  first  floor  of  the 
old  dormitory  building.  Iti  order  that  I,  too,  might  form  the 
habit  of  early  rising,  I  procured  a  bell  and,  having  attached 
it  to  the  headboard  of  my  bed,  passed  a  wire  connected  with  it 
through  the  floor  and  ceiling  into  Yates'  room.  By  this  means, 
he  roused  me  early  every  morning. 

Yates'  money  became  sc-irce,  and,  being  greatly  opposed  to 
debt,  he  remained  out  of  college  on<"  session,  doing  some  kind 
of  agency  work.  On  his  return,  the  following  year,  he  had  to 
fall  back  into  the  class  of  '46,  of  which  I  was  a  member.  He 
became  my  room-mate,  and  I  never  had  a  better  one.  He  was 
neat  and  orderly  in  everything.  His  room  was  nicely  kept. 
It  is  a  little  thing,  but  I  remember  that,  after  washing,  he  in- 
variably rinsed  out  the  bowl.  His  cress  was  plain,  but  always 
neat  and  in  good  taste.  Though  fond  of  exercise,  he  took  no 
part  in  games.  He  had  a  good  voice,  and  was  fond  of  singing. 
While  he  bowed  in  silent  prayer  at  his  bedside  before  retiring, 
as  his  custom  was,  I  was  quiet  and  respectful;  though  at  that 
time  I  prayed  not  for  myself. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  31 

He  was  a  good  debater.  Rarely,  if  ever,  did  he  voluntarily 
defend  what  he  considered  the  wrong  side  of  a  question.  The 
students  showed  their  confidence  in  him  by  frequently  making 
him  their  judge  or  arbiter  in  matters  of  controversy. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Solomon,  D.D.,  now  of  Kentucky,  who 
entered  Wake  Forest  College  during  the  cession  of 
1844-5,  tells  of  Mr.  Yates  as  he  knew  him  during  his 
junior  and  senior  years  in  college: 

When  I  first  knew  him,  in  January.  1845,  Yates  was  a  student 
in  his  junior  year.  He  impresser*  me  as  a  young  man  of 
decided  convictions.  Plis  Christian  principles  were  manifest  in 
all  that  he  said  and  did.  There  was  no  ostentation,  but  his 
religion  dominated  his  whole  manne'-  of  life. 

His  bearing  was  quiet  and  unassuming,  both  among  his 
fellow  students  and  in  social  circles.  While  he  was  genial  and 
afTable,  there  was  about  him  a  nati^  e  dignity  which  repressed 
all  undue  familiarity  or  unbecoming  jocularity.  This  was  the 
result  of  genuine  manliness,  purified  and  elevated  by  deep  piety. 
While  his  manner  was  cordial  toward  all,  his  intimate  com- 
charming.  While  free  and  easy  in  social  life,  he  was  eminently 
panions  were  few.  With  these  he  was  unreserved,  transparent, 
discreet  and  circumspect.  Yet  his  discretion  had  no  appearance 
of  conscious  constraint.  He  seemed  to  say  or  do  just  the  right 
thing,  because  there  was  nothing  else  to  be  said  or  done.  Cheer- 
ful and  bright  himself,  he  enjoyed  innocent  mirth  as  much  as 
any  of  us.  But  he  appeared  to  ki-ow  instinctively  the  point 
where  propriety  ends  and  impropriety  begins. 

As  a  student  Yates  was  punctual  and  studious,  never  wasting 
his  time.  For  the  most  part,  he  denied  himself  the  social 
pleasures  of  College  Hill,  lest  they  should  interfere  with  his 
studies.  But  he  was  careful  to  take  such  exercise  daily  as  he 
deemed  necessary  for  his  health. 

To  those  who  sought  his  advice  he  was  a  wise  and  loving 
counsellor.  And  he  did  not  hesitate  to  speak  words  of  caution 
to  his  more  intimate  companions.  This  was  done  with  so  much 
delicacy,  and  in  such  a  loving,  Christian  spirit,  that  it  not  only 
accomplished  the  desired  end,  but  endeared  him  the  more  to 
the  admonished  friend. 


52  Yatks  The   Missionary. 

Although  a  beneficiary  of  the  Convention,  Yates  was  not  con- 
tent to  receive  aid  when  he  could  help  himself.  He  sought 
opportunities  for  profitable  employment  which  would  not  inter- 
fere with  his  duties  as  a  student.  Such  an  opportunity  presented 
itself  in  1845. 

A  celebrated  teacher  of  vocal  music,  by  the  name,  I  think, 
of  Oakes,  formed  a  class  in  Raleigh.  Yates  attended  it  every 
Saturday  until  he  became  quite  proficient  both  In  the  science  and 
the  art  of  music.  He  then  formed  a  class  of  students  and  of 
citizens  of  College  Hill,  which  he  taught  in  one  of  the  college 
halls.  As  well  as  I  can  remember,  the  class  numbered  about 
forty,  and  he  received  five  dollars  from  each  member.  He  was 
the  best  teacher  of  vocal  music  whom  I  have  ever  met,  and  it 
is  not  remarkable  that  this  enterprise  was  eminently  successful. 

Yates  undertook  nothing  hastily,  but,  having  undertaken,  he 
was  patient  and  persevering.  This  characteristic  adhered  to  him 
throughout  his  long  and  useful  career. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

BEGINS   IN   AMERICA   AND   ENDS   IN   CHINA- 
1846-7 AGE   27-8. 


RESIDENT  WAIT  and  others  had  written  to 
Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor,  Secretary  of  tlic  Foreign 
Mission  Koard,  at  Richmond,  concr-rning  Mr. 

Yates,  whose  convictions  as  to  his  life  work 

were  no  secret  on  College  Hill. 

In  the  winter  before  Mr.  Yates'  graduation,  Mr.  Tay- 
lor visited  Wake  Forest  in  order  to  meet  the  candidate 
for  foreign  work  under  the  auspices  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention.  This  had  been  organized  only  a 
few  months  before. 

As  a  result  of  this  visit,  any  uncertainty  as  to  the  fit- 
ness of  Mr.  Yates  for  his  chosen  work  was  removed. 
President  Wait,  Professor  White,  and  Mr.  J.  S   Purefoy, 


Yates  The  Missionary.  33 

all  men  of  sound  practical  judgment,  urged  tl;at  he  was 
eminently  well  qualified,  and  a  favorable  impression  was 
made  by  Mr.  Yates  himself. 

The  following  letter  was  written  Ijy  i\Ir.  Ta\lor  at  the 
time  to  a  member  of  his  family: 

Raleigh,  Feb.   15,  1846. 

It  was  found  to  be  important  that  I  should  remain  at  Wake 
Forest  two  days,  as  a  young  brother  is  there  who  in  all  proba- 
bility will  be  engaged  as  one  of  our  missionaries.  His  name  is 
Yates.  I  am  much  pleased  with  hirr-.,  and  cannot  but  hope  that 
the  Lord  intends  him  for  eminent  usefulness.  His  college 
studies  will  close  in  June.  He  seeir-  determined  to  spend  his 
life  among  the  heathen.  The  professors  all  speak  well  of  him, 
und  think  him,  in  many  respects,  eminently  qualified  for  the 
work.     I  had  several  interviews  with  him. 

In  a  letter  dated  March  17,  1846,  Mr.  Yates  wrote: 

My  attention  was  first  directed  to  the  condition  of  the  heathen 
world  from  reading  the  Memoirs  oi  Mrs.  Judson,  soon  after 
obtaining,  I  trust,  the  remission  of  miy  sins.  Frequently  did 
I  weep  for  hours,  while  following  mv  plow  or  using  my  trowel, 
when  I  would  reflect  that  the  poor  heathen,  who  knew  nothing 
of  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  Saviour  of  the  world,  must  die  and 
appear  before  God  to  be  judged  according  to  their  works  in  this 
world. 

In  April,  1846,  Professor  White  wrote  fr:m  Wake 
Forest  College  to  the  Foreign  Mission  Board: 

Mr.  Yates  is  over  six  fe^.t  high,  straight,  broad-chested,  and 
inclined  to  be  spare,  with  black  ryes  and  hair,  an  agreeable 
countenance,  and,  for  his  opportunity,  an  easy  and  dignified 
manner.  He  has  been  here  about  six  years.  He  has  a  very 
pleasant,  full  voice  and  possesses,  indeed,  many  elements  of 
a  forcible  and  commanding  speaker.  I  think  that  he  has  a 
well-balanced  mind. 

During  the  spring  of  1846  Mr.  Yates  was  not  in  vigor- 
ous health,  and  was  almost  ready,  on  that  account,  to 
3 


34  Yates  The  Missionary. 

surrender  his  cherished  purpose  of  becoming  a  foreign 

missionary. 

Wake  Forest  College,  May  lo,  1846. 

To  Rev.  James  B.  Taylor,  Corresponding  Secretary: 

I  am  now  almost  ready  to  despair  of  ever  being  restored  to 
perfect  health  again.  While  my  heart  is  deeply  interested  in  the 
cause  of  missions,  I  much  doubt  the  expediency  of  the  step. 
My  father's  family  physician  says  that  I  could  not  live  three 
years  in  an  Eastern  clime.  If  this  be  true,  to  send  me  out 
would  be  a  useless  expenditure  on  the  part  of  the  Board. 
All  I  wish  in  this  case  is  to  know  what  my  duty  is. 

In  view  of  the  facts,  as  we  now  know  thern,  that  he 
lived,  not  three,  but  nearly  forty-three  years  m  China, 
and  that  thirty-five  years  after  leaving  college  he  could 
write,  'T  am  as  stout  as  a  Hercules  and  as  erect  as  a 
Belvedere,"  one  cannot  but  be  amused  at  the  confident 
opinion  of  the  physician. 

Two  years  later  Mr.  S.  G.  O'Bryan,  a  Wake  Forest 
student,  in  response  to  the  personal  appeals  of  Mr.  Yates, 
declared  his  willingness  to  go  to  China.  He  was  not 
encouraged  to  do  so  on  account  of  the  adverse  opinion 
of  a  physician,  who,  after  expressing  this  opinion,  wrote: 
"Phvsicians,  however,  are  not  always  prophets,  and  their 
opinions  must  necessarily  fall  into  the  channel  of  all 
human  fallibility."  The  good  doctor's  wisdom  in  making 
this  modest  disclaimer  is  apparent  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
Mr.  O'Bryan,  after  serving  several  years  as  a  professor 
in  Baylor  University,  labored  for  many  years  as  a  pioneer 
preacher  in  Texas. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Yates  wrote  to  Mr.  Taylor: 

I  have,  with  prayerful  meditation,  looked  over  the  globe,  and 
there  is  no  field  which  seems  to  me  so  inviting  as  China.  I  am 
now  resolved,  and  I  hope  that  I  have  been  guided  by  the  Holy 
Spirit — that,  let  others  say  what  they  may  about  rushing  into 
danger,  I  will  go  wheresoever  God,  in  his  providence,  may 
direct   me.      Since    coming   to   this   irrevocable    conclusion    my 


Yates  The  Missionary.  35 

feelings  and  affections  seem  to  have  winged  their  way  to  China. 
This  enterprise  has  swallowed  up  every  other. 

The  iniproveinent  of  Mr.  Yates'  health,  and  the  more 
favorable  opinion  of  other  physicians,  removed  the  dififi- 
ciiltv  which  had  seemed  to  bar  his  way  to  China.  Of  the 
removal  of  anc^ther  obstacle  he  has  written  in  his  remi- 
niscences. 

When  I  graduated,  in  June,  1846  Prof.  White,  at  that  time 
the  acting  president,  asked  me  wha;  I  intended  to  do  next.  I 
replied  that  I  wished  first  to  engatt  in  something  that  would 
enable  me  to  pay  a  debt  of  $250,  incurred  in  securing  my  edu- 
cation, and,  after  that,  I  proposed  to  offer  myself  to  the  Foreign 
Mission  Board,  as  I  felt  that  the  Lord  required  my  services  in 
a  heathen  land. 

That  same  afternoon  he  came  to  my  room  and  said,  "Here, 
Yates,  is  the  money  you  say  you  require  to  liberate  you.  Now 
prepare  yourself  for  China." 

He  had  collected  the  amount  on  College  Hill. 

At  the  same  time  Prof.  White  handed  me  three  letters.  In 
two  of  these  were  offers  of  desirable  positions  for  work.  One 
of  them,  from  Alabama,  invited  me  to  preach  to  two  churches 
and  teach  a  select  school  at  a  salaiy  of  $2,000  a  year.  I  de- 
clined these  positions  and  answered  favorably  the  other  letter, 
which  was  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Board,  in  Richmond.  Thus 
I  consecrated  my  life  to  the  Foreign  Alission  work  in  China,  at 
a  salary  of  $750  a  year. 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  at  home,  Mr.  Yates  visited 
Richmond,  Va.,  and  appeared  before  the  Board.  He 
was  promptly  accepted  as  a  missionary,  and,  on  August 
3,  1846,  he  entered  into  the  relations  whose  cordiality 
remained  unmarred  until  the  end  of  his  service  and  his' 
life.  On  his  return  to  North  Carolina,  he  sought  by 
travel  to  widen  the  range  of  his  acquaintance  and  influ- 
ence, and  visited  several  sections  of  the  State,  preaching 
and  pleading  for  missions. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  of  Mr.  Yates'  life, 
an  event  which  had  no  little  to  do  with  his  subsequent 


36  Yates  The  Missionary. 

usefulness,  was  his  marriage,  on  September  27th,  1846. 
to  Eliza  E.  Moring,  of  Chatham  County.  The  consecra- 
tion, cheerful  endurance,  and  excellent  sen^.e  of  this 
lovely  and  cultured  woman  will,  to  some  extent,  be 
revealed  to  the  reader  of  these  pages.  To  no  missionary 
was  ever  given  a  more  loyal  and  efficient  helpmeet. 

Eliza  Moring  was  born  December  14,  1821,  in  Chat- 
ham County,  N.  C.  Her  father,  John  Moring,  having 
died  while  she  was  very  young,  she  became  an  inmate  of 
the  home  of  her  uncle,  Mr.  Christopher  Moring,  a  pros- 
perous merchant  of  Greensboro.  Here  she  enjoyed  ex- 
cellent educational  advantages.  Having  completed  the 
course  of  study  in  a  Presbyterian  seminary,  she  accepted 
a  position  as  governess  in  the  family  of  Mi.  William 
Merritt,  in  her  native  county.  This  position  she  oc- 
cupied until  her  marriage. 

Her  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Yates  dated  from  her 
childhood.  During  vacations  they  were  often  together, 
and  their  long  friendship  ripened  into  a  strong\;r  attach- 
ment. 

She  had  been  reared  in  a  Christian  home,  and  early 
in  life  had  made  a  profession  of  religion.  But,  being  at 
first  a  doubting  Christian,  and  having  an  exalted  con- 
ception of  the  responsibilities  of  church  membership,  she 
deferred  following  Christ  in  baptism  until  after  her  mar- 
riage. On  November  14th,  1846,  she  was  baptized  by 
Dr.  Wait  into  the  fellowship  of  tfie  Wake  Forest  Bap- 
tist Church. 

After  she  once  entered  the  path  of  duty  whieh  opened 
before  her,  every  doubt  seemed  to  have  vanished.  Her 
Christian  life  w'as  henceforth  irradiated  with  sunshine. 
Amid  privations,  perils,  afflictions,  and  discouragements,, 
her  faith  was  strong  and  her  hope  cheerful. 

'Tn  the  beauty  of  her  modesty,"  wrote  Dr.  Tupper, 
''this  lady  refers  to  herself  as  'the  wife  of  a  missionary;' 
but  more  than  once,  during  the  long  absences  of  her  hus- 
band, the  whole  responsi])ilty  of  the  Shanghai  Mission 
has  been  thrown  upon  her  and  the  native  pastor.  The 
business-like  manner  in  which  affairs  have  been  man- 


MRS,  MATTHEW  T.  YATES, 


Yates  Tin-:   Missionary.  37 

aei^cd  and  accounts  rendered  lias  been  so  niaiked  as  to 
solicit  the  express  connnendatini.:  of  the  Board." 

As  a  loval  co-worker,  as  well  as  a  loving"  companion, 
she  stood  by  lier  Imsband's  side  for  forty  }ears,  and 
after  his  death  she  for  six  years  continued  her  beloved, 
work  at  Shanghai  as  an  unpaid  missionary. 

The  large  place  occupied  bv  her  in  the  life  of  Mr. 
"^'ates,  and  in  the  early  history  of  the  Shanghai  Mission, 
will  justify  the  insertion  into  this  story  of  a  numl^er  of  her 
letters. 

I)y  request  of  Mount  Pisgah  Church,  Mr.  Yates  was 
ordained  during  the  meeting  of  the  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention, which,  that  year,  met  in  Raleigh.  The  services 
were  on  Sunday  night,  October  i8th.  Thomas  Meredith 
preached  the  sermon,  J.  Dennis  of^fered  the  prayer,  J. 
B.  Taylor  delivered  the  charge,  Richard  Fuiman  pre- 
sented the  Bible,  and  Samuel  Wait  gave  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship. 

Dr.  Solomon,  who  was  present,  says: 

Mr.  Yates  was  much  exercised  in  mind  on  the  subject  of  his 
ordination.  Almost  to  a  painful  degree  did  he  feel  its  solemn 
import,  in  view  of  the  special  work  to  which  he  was  about  to 
be  set  apart. 

The  ordination  was  one  of  the  most  impressive  and  pathetic 
scenes  that  1  have  ever  witnessed.  Several  of  those  who  had 
been  his  fellow  students,  at  his  request,  joined  with  him  in 
singing  the  hymn  selected  by  himself; 

Yes,  my  nature  land,  1  love  thee. 
All  thy  scenes  I  love  them  well, 

Friends,  connections,  happy  country, 
Can  I  bid  you  all  farewell? 
^  Can  1  leave  you. 

Far  in  heathen  lands  to   dwell? 

Rev.  James  B.  Taylor,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  in  delivering  the 
charge  to  the  candidate,  used  one  illustration  which  I  have 
never  forgotten.  He  said,  in  subst:ince:  By  a  triumph  of 
science,  within  the  last  few  weeks,  a  man  in  New  York  can  now 


38  Yates  The  Missionary. 

send  a  message  almost  instantaneously  to  his  friend  in  New 
Orleans.  You,  my  brother,  are  going  to  the  antipodes.  We 
can  no  longer  see  you.  But  we  shall  have  a  line  of  swifter 
communication  with  you,  through  the  throne  of  God,  than  any 
that  human  science  has  ever  invented. 

There  were  few  dry  eyes  in  the  crowded  audience  when  these 
services  closed. 

Like  a  fertilizing  wave,  the  enthusiasm  aroused  by 
these  interesting  services  at  the  Convention  flowed  over 
North  Carolina  and  into  other  States.  The  long  latent 
sense  of  obligation  to  the  heathen  was  for  the  first  time 
awakened  in  many  hearts.  P^or  Yates  was  the  first  mis- 
7-  sionary  to  go  from  North  Carolina  to  a  foreign  land. 

That  Yates  in  China  did  more  to  build  up  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  in  America  than  Yates  in  America  could  have 
done,  will  hardly  be  doubted.  And,  though  no  man  can 
tell  what  noble  structures  are  to  be  built  upon  the  solid 
foundations  laid  by  him  in  China,  it  may  be  questioned 
whether  the  reflex  influence  of  his  work  upon  the 
churches  at  home  was  not  equal  to  the  direct  influence 
of  his  work  abroad. 

Previous  to  this  time,  the  obligation  to  give  the  gospel 
to  the  heathen  had  rested  very  lightly  upon  the  great 
majority  of  the  Baptists  of  North  Carolina.  Sf)me  of  the 
more  intelligent  and  pious,  stirred  by  the  fervid  eloqu- 
ence of  Luther  Rice  and  others,  or  touched  by  the  pa- 
thetic memoir  of  Mrs.  Judson,  had  begun  to  take  a  lively 
interest  in  Foreign  Missions.  Others,  infltienced  by  the 
addresses  and  writings  of  the  anti-missionary  -^O shorn, 
had  been  provoked  into  hostility  to  all  missionary  enter- 
prise, a  hostility  which  rent  asunder  churches  and  as- 
sociations.    But  with  most  of  the  Baptists  of  the  State 


*Elder  James  Osborn,  of  Maryland,  about  1830-5,  traveled 
extensively  among  the  Baptist  churches  of  North  Carolina. 
He  sold  his  books,  misrepresented  ^he  purposes  and  methods  of 
missionary  organizations,  rxnd  sowed  the  seeds  of  dissension. 
This  was  the  genesis  of  the  anti-missionary  churches  and  as- 
sociations in  the  State. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  39 

ihcro  was  neither  interest  nor  hostility,  but  only  indiffer- 
ence. In  one  of  his  earher  letters  to  Mr.  Yates,  after  the 
latter  had  reached  Shanc^hai,  Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor  wrote: 
"Yon  know  something-  of  the  state  of  things  among  the 
churches,  and  how  utterly  dead  they  have  been  to  the 
great  responsibility  of  giving  the  gospel  to  the  world. 
It  is  truly  a  day  of  small  things.  It  is  not,  however,  to 
be  despised;  a  change  will  take  place."  The  change  did 
come;  its  extent  is  revealed  by  the  large  and  steady  in- 
crease of  contributions.  The  year  before  the  Civil  War 
the  Baptists  of  North  Carolina  gave  to  Foreign  Missions 
more  than  ten  times  as  much  as  they  had  given  in  1846. 

In  the  autumn  of  1846  the  Raleigh  Association,  which 
at  that  time  included  also  the  churches  now  composing 
the  Central  Association,  passed  with  enthusiasm  a  reso- 
lution which  must  have  been  both  gratifying  and  reas- 
suring to  the  young  missionary.    Here  is  the  record: 

It  is  unanimousl}'-  resolved  that  this  body  adopts  Brother 
Matthew  T.  Yates  as  our  son  and  oil'-  missionary  to  China,  and 
that  we,  as  a  body  of  Christians,  will  give  him  a  competent 
support  during  his  stay  or  life. 

At  the  Convention,  Rev.  R.  Furman,  then  pastor  in 
Newbern,  offered  a  resolution  which,  after  nitntioning 
the  action  of  the  association,  concluded  by  saying:  "We 
behold  in  this  event  cheering  indications  of  th  i  mission- 
ary spirit,  for  which  we  rejoice  and  bless  the  God  of 
missions." 

The  committee  which  was  annually  appointed  by  the 
association  to  carry  into  effect  the  latter  pait  of  their 
resolution,  reported  in  1850,  "Four  years  have  passed, 
and  each  year  the  pledge  has  been  redeemed."  A  few 
years  later,  however,  there  was  a  great  falling  off,  and 
the  pledge  was  not  entirely  redeemed.  But  in  later 
years  the  Raleigh  and  Central  Associations  paid  in  full 
Dr.  Yates'  salary  of  v$i,ooo. 

At  this  time,  and  doubtless  through  the  influence  of 
Mr.  Yates,  was  organized  at  Wake  Forest  College  the 


40  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Society  for  Enquiry  as  to  the  Moral  and  Religious  Con- 
dition of  the  World.  This  society,  under  a  changed  name 
and  a  modified  organization,  has  never  ceased  to  meet 
regularly  once  a  month.  At  least  half  a  score  of  men 
who,  during  their  student  life,  were  members  of  it,  have 
become  foreign  missionaries,  and  hundreds,  now  pastors 
in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  have  gained  from  it 
information  and  inspiration  as  to  the  missionary  enter- 
prise. 

Dr.  Willingham  has  said  in  the  Seminary  Magazine: 

North  Carolina  is  known  as  'Thf  Missionary  State,"  because 
of  the  number  of  her  sons  and  daughters  who  have  gone  to 
mission  fields.  Much  of  this  is  doubtless  due  to  M.  T.  Yates, 
but  North  Carolina  has  not  been  the  only  State  quickened; 
his  influence  has  gone  through  the  whole  Convention  which 
sent  him,  and  has  reached  to  the  end^^  of  the  earth. 

A  designation  service  of  unusual  interest  was  held  in 
the  first  Baptist  church  in  Richmond  on  the  night  of 
December  i8th.  Though  the  services  w^ere  protracted 
to  a  late  hour,  a  large  audience  remained  deeply  inter- 
ested to  the  close.  J.  B.  Jeter,  President  of  the  Board, 
M.  T.  Sumner,  J.  B.  Taylor,  E.  Kingsford,  i).  Shaver, 
and  A.  Hall  took  prominent  parts.  Addresses  were 
made,  also,  by  Yates,  Shuck,  Tobey,  Yong  Seen  Sang, 
and  Dr.  James.  Rev.  Frank  Johnson,  who  belonged  to 
the  party,  was  too  unwell  to  be  present.  ivFr.  Yates' 
address  on  this  occasion,  "On  the  importance  of  diffus- 
ing missionary  information,"  was  altogether  practical  ui 
its  nature. 

It  had  been  planned  that  Yates,  Tobey,  and  Shuck, 
with  their  wives,  Johnson,  and  the  Christian  Chinaman, 
Yong-seen-sang,  should  make  the  voyage  to  China  to- 
gether. These  all  met  in  Philadelphia,  February  21, 
1847.  The  next  day,  Sunday,  a  great  congregation,  in- 
cluding many  ministers,  gathered  at  Dr.  Kennard's 
church  to  hear  and  speed  on  their  way  the  missionary 
party.  "Also  at  Sansom  Street  Church,  at  night,"  wrote 
one  of  the  party,  "we  received  again  assurances  of  the 


Yates  The  Missionary.  41 

sympathy  of  onr  Philadelphia  brethren.  Their  ad- 
dresses, prayers,  and  conduct  all  showed  genuine  love 
for  us.     Alay  God  richly  bless  them." 

1  he  next  day,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Taylor,  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Hoard,  they  went  to  New  York.  There  also, 
at  Dr.  Cone's  church,  they  were  greeted  by  a  large  gath- 
ering, in  which  were  many  ministers.  ''Fervently  were 
we  commended  by  them  to  God.'' 

One  of  the  young  missionaries  was  greatly  impressed 
by  Dr.  Cone,  and  wrote  to  a  friend:  "Dr.  Cone,  sir,  is  a 
man  that  stands  straight  up  on  his  feet  and  Icoks  right 
out  of  his  two  eyes  and  speaks  right  from  his  jieart." 

The  serious  illness  of  Airs.  Yates  prevented  the  origi- 
nal plan  from  being  carried  out.  The  other  members 
of  the  party  sailed  on  March  nth,  1847,  on  the  Ash- 
burton,  leaving  Mr.  Yates  and  his  wife  behind,  c-nd  sorelv 
disappomted.     Mr.  Taylor  wrote  from  Boston: 

Our  afilicted  sister  would  willingly  have  been  carried  to  her 
berth  and  have  been  borne  from  our  shores  with  the  hazard  of 
finding  a  grave  in  the  oceai;  but  th.e  interdict  of  the  physician 
and  the  advice  of  her  friends  prevented. 

Mr.  Yates  remained  several  weeks  in  New  York,  for 
the  most  part  at  the  bedside  of  his  wife.     Whde  in  this 
cjty  they  were  entertained  at  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs 
Cilley,  who  treated  them  more  like  their  own  children 
than  as  guests. 

A  month,  also,  while  Mrs.  Yates  was  regaining  her 
strength,  was  spent  in  Boston  in  the  hospitable  home  of 
Mr.  Poland. 

During  this  detention  in  Boston,  Mr.  Yatcs  had  oc- 
casion to  refer  in  grateful  terms  to  the  kind  services  of 
the  mend)ers  of  the  Board  of  the  Missionary  Union. 

It  was  from  Mr.  Poland's  home  that  he  wrote  for  the 
press  the  first  of  his  numerous  appeals  for  mo:c  men  and 
women  to  work  by  his  side  in  China.  In  closing  this 
article  he  said: 

Our  churches  are  much  disposed  to  say  of  their  young  men 
whose  hearts  are  burning  with  love  to   God  and  their  fellow- 


42  Yates  The  Missionary. 

men,  "Let  them  alone;  if  they  are  caHed  to  preach,  they'll  do  it, 
let  their  circumstances  be  what  they  may." 

By  pursuing-  this  course,  many  a  modest  and  promising  plant 
has  been  left  to  droop  and  die  for  want  of  proper  culture. 
Brethren,  you  should  take  them  by  their  trembling  hands  and 
lead  them  to  the  work. 

On  April  26,  1847,  t^^^Y  embarked  at  Boston  for  Hong 
Kong-  on  the  Thos.  W.  Sears,  which  Mr.  Yates  described 
as  a  fine  and  fast  sailing  vessel.  The  voyage  v>  as,  on  th3 
whole,  pleasant  and  without  ether  incident  than  one 
fearful  storm,  which  was  encountered  in  mid-  ocean  and 
lasted  for  five  days. 

Even  while  hearing  what  he  described  as  "the  hideous 
howling  of  the  winds,"  Mr.  Yates  wrote:  "There  is  in 
a  storm  at  sea  something  that  is  awfully  sui/.ime;  and 
}et,  to  a  composed  mind,  there  is  much  that  is  beautiful.'' 
He  was  at  all  times  a  good  sailor,  and  nevci  suffered 
from  sea-sickness. 

Our  travelers,  on  their  arrival  at  Hong  Koiig,  found 
tiiat  thev  had  no  reason  to  regret  their  enforced  delay  in 
America.  Mr.  Shuck  and  his  companions,  though  they 
had  sailed  about  six  weeks  before  Mr.  Yates  and  his  wife, 
had  reached  Hong  Kong  only  twenty-two  days  before 
them.  And  the  voyage  of  the  latter  was  not  only  three 
weeks  shorter,  but  it  was  far  more  pleasant;  for  their 
friends  told  them  that  "the  conduct  of  the  captain  of  the 
Ashburton,  an  outspoken  infidel,  was  coarse,  vilgar,  and 
brutal  toward  the  missionaries.     An  awful  captain." 

Perhaps  the  "awful  captain"  was  the  occasion  thereof, 
but  several  of  the  Ashburton  party  were  not  in  lit  condi- 
tion to  proceed  at  once  to  their  assigned  fields  of  labor, 
Mr.  Yates,  however,  thought  it  his  duty  to  avail  himself 
of  the  first  opportunity  to  re-embark  for  Shangnai. 

A  letter  from  Mrs.  Yates  to  the  wife  of  President  Wait 
describes  the  arrival  in  that  city. 

At  Sea,  Sept.  4,  1847. 

It  was  on  Monday,  August  3d,  about  8  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing, that  we  left  Hong  Kong  for  "Whampoa,  where  this  vessel, 


Yates  The  Missionary.  43 

the  barciuc  Eliza  K.  Killish.  was  lyino.  Very  unexpected  indeed 
was  this  second  separation  trom  our  friends;  but  though  to  set 
out  again,  alone,  and  for  c.  city  in  which  dwells  not  a  single 
individual  to  whom  we  are  known  was  an  unpleasant  duty, 
still  it  was  a  duty. 

We  greatly  long  to  get  settled  and  begin  the  study  of  the  lan- 
guage. The  Canton  statior.  was  anxious  to  keep  Mr.  Yates  in 
place  of  Mr.  Clopton,  and  had,  1  think,  before  our  arrival, 
written  to  the  board  for  permission  to  do  so. 

Contrary  to  what  was  told  us  m  America,  I  have  already  found 
out  that  there  are  but  few  articles  of  food  which  cannot  be  pro- 
cured in  China.     One  may  fare  sumptuously  every  day. 

But  such  is  not  my  w^ish.  Fortunately  for  me,  sweet  potatoes 
are  abundant  and  cheap;  ^rom  choice  I  live  on  them  for  the 
most  part. 

September  8. — Not  at  Shanghai  yet.  Init  nearly  there.  The 
charts  for  this  coast  are  imperfect  and,  as  piloting  is  not 
practiced  here,  a  considerable  part  of  two  days  has  been  lost 
in  guarding  against  possible  dangers. 

I  have  just  been  up  to  100k  around.  The  land  is  very  low 
and  level,  but  the  eye  rests  with  pleasure  on  the  verdure  which 
spreads  over  it.  We  are  near  the  entrance  of  the  Woo-Sung 
River,  two  miles  from  the  city  which  is  to  be  our  place  of 
sojourn.  Oh.  that  w-e  may  begin  and  carry  on  our  work  of 
teaching  the  Chinese  in  the  fullness  of  the  spirit  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ!  The  obstacles  are  many;  the  instruments  are  weak; 
but  (and  here  is  comfort)  God  is  omnipotent  and  often  his 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.  He  who  said,  "Go  ye 
into  all  the  world,"  said  also,  "And  lo,  I  am  with  you."  What 
more  can  the  missionary  ask? 

The  consciousness  of  weakness  and  the  reliance  upon 
the  power  of  God  expressed  in  this  letter  rec.:\ll  the  an- 
sv»xr  which  the  pioneer  missionary  to  China,  Robert 
Morrison,  made  to  a  pert  shipping  clerk.  When  he  en- 
gaged his  passage,  the  clerk  said  to  him:  ''And  so,  ^Ir. 
Morrison,  you  really  expect  thai  you  will  mai<e  an  im- 
pression on  the  idolatry  of  the  great  Chinese  Empire?" 


44  Yates  The  Missionary. 

"No,  sir,"  said  Morrison,  with  more  than  his  usur\  stern- 
ness, "but  I  expect  that  God  will."    The  letter  continues: 

I  feel  that  I  was  blessed  in  havinr^  a  separate  passage  across 
the  wide  ocean,  for  my  time  was  almost  exclusively  my  own, 
and  my  heart  had  full  time  for  a  close  examination  of  its  state 
before  God.  I  had  many  bitter  hours;  I  rejoice  that  I  had.  I 
then  resolved  and  solemnly  promised  the  Lord  that  I  would 
strive  to  know  my  duty  and  to  perfoi  m  it,  though  every  friend  I 
have  should  frown,  and  thoagh  all  the  world  should  ridicule  my 
course. 

September  13. — Reached  Shanghai  yesterday  at  12  o'clock. 
As  it  was  the  Sabbath,  we  made  no  effort  to  land.  To-day  my 
husband  went  ashore  and,  after  a  few  hours  absence,  returned 
with  two  Episcopal  friends,  Rev.  Messrs.  Spaulding  and  Syle. 
The  latter  invited  us  to  his  house  and  has  given  us  his  parlor 
as  a  chamber,  till  a  house  can  be  rented. 

October  nth  finds  us  housekeeping,  in  which  we  have  had 
nearly  three  weeks'  experience.  Imagine  yourself  compelled  to 
direct  the  affairs  of  a  family  whiK".  unable  to  understand  the 
language  of  your  domestics  or  to  make  them  understand  your 
wishes.  Then,  perhaps,  you  will  be  able  to  form  a  faint  idea 
of  my  difficulties.  But  there  is  one  comfort.  The  difficulties 
grow  less  daily,  as  fast  as  I  can  store  away  words  and  sentences 
of  this  oddest  of  languages  in  this  leaky  head  of  mine. 

After  a  few  weeks  I  hope  to  be  able  to  trust  Chinese  servants 
with  my  domestic  work  and  give  myselt  up  to  study.  However, 
there  is  thought  to  be  no  oetter  way  of  acquiring  the  colloquial 
dialect  than  by  conversing  with  the  natives.  And  this  I  am 
compelled  to  attempt. 

Mr.  Yates  was  among  the  pioneers  in  actual  mission- 
ary work  in  China.  For  some  years,  it  is  true,  Protest- 
ant missionaries  had  been  waiting  at  the  unopened  gates 
of  the  Empire.  Much  valuable  preparatory  work  had 
been  done  by  Morrison,  Milne,  Medhurst,  Williams,  and 
others.  But  they  were  compelled  to  do  this  work,  for 
the  most  part,  at  Macao,  Malacca,  Singapore,  and  Ban- 
kok  among  Chinese  emigrants.     Mr.  Yates  l^egan  work 


Yates  The  Missionary.  45 

at  Shanghai,  less  than  four  years  after  the  ratixication  of 
the  treaty  which  granted  to  all  foreigners  the  privilege 
of  residence  in  the  five  ports  of  Canton,  Amoy,  Fuhchaii, 
Ningpo,  and  Shanghai. 

Before  the  young  missionary  and  his  companion,  as 
they  sailed  up  the  Yang-tsz  and  W'hampoo  riveiS,  lay  the 
most  densely  populated  province  of  the  Chinese  Empire. 
But  among  the  swarming  multitudes  there  WdS  not  one 
person  whom  he  had  ever  seen  before.  Unannounced 
and  solitary  was  the  arrival  of  the  two  young  strangers 
who,  absolutely  ignorant  of  the  language,  the  place,  and 
the  people,  but  with  strong  faith  in  God.  had  come  to 
help  in  laying  the  foundations  of  "a  mighty  superstruc- 
ture" w'hich  was  to  supplant  idolatrous  systems  of  uni- 
versal acceptance. 


CHAPTER    V. 

HOUSEKEEPING    UNDER    DIFFICULTIES 1847-     AGE    28. 


HE  city  of  Shanghai,  for  forty-two  year^  the  home 
of  Mr.  Yates,  is  the  most  northern  of  the  "Five 
Ports"  opened  in  1842  to  the  commerce  of  all 
nations.  It  is  situated  on  about  the  same  par- 
allel of  latitude  with  the  city  of  Savannah,  Ga.,  but  is 
much  warmer  in  summer  and  colder  in  winter  than  that 
city.  Mr.  Yates  said  that  he  had  seen  snow  jiiore  than 
three  feet  deep  on  the  level.  The  climate  is  said  to  be, 
on  the  whole,  salubrious. 

The  well  watered  and  fertile  plain  of  the  Yang-tST 
River  extends  for  many  miles  around  the  city.  There 
IS  not  a  hill  within  forty  miles,  but  there  was  \n  1847  ^ 
vast  pile  of  dirt  within  the  walls,  the  accumulation  of 
many  years,  like  John  Harmon's  dust-heap,  described 
by  Dickens  in  Our  Mutual  Friend. 

The  city  wall  is  six  or  seven  miles  in  circumference, 
with  bastions  at  regular  intervals.     The  north  and  west 


46  Yates  The  Missionary. 

sides  are  each  entered  by  one,  and  the  east  and  south 
sides  by  two  gates.  The  population,  now  more  than 
600,000,  long  since  oversowed  the  limits  of  the  walls 
until  there  were  as  many  without  as  within  ihem.  Be- 
tween these  suburbs  and  the  city  proper  are  wide  and 
deep  canals.  Similar  canals  intersect  the  city,  and  are 
available  for  transportation  and  lor  water  supply. 

The  streets  are  narrow,  dirty,  and  crowded  with  pedes- 
trians and  vendors,  chiefly  of  food.  The  houses,  one  or 
two  stories  high,  are,  for  the  most  part,  builu  of  lead- 
colored  brick.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  public  build- 
ungs,  there  is  in  the  architecture  of  the  city  but  little  to 
please  the  eye. 

Though  tine  trees  and  beautiful  shrubbery  are  abun- 
dant, there  are  no  forests  near  Shanghai.  The  soil  of 
the  great  alluvial  plain  is  so  rich  that  three  crops  a  year 
are  obtained  from  the  same  fields,  viz,  coiton,  wheat, 
and  pulse.  The  cotton  is  sowxd  broadcast,  and  every 
stalk  is  carefully  saved  for  fuel. 

The  northern  suburbs  of  the  city  are  occupied  by  for- 
eigners. Here,  on  an  extended  river  frontage,  are 
spacious  warehouses.  For  Shanghai  is  a  gi  eat  empo- 
rium of  trade,  especially  in  tea  and  silks.  It  is  the  gate 
of  entrance  to  thirteen  out  of  the  eighteen  provinces  of 
the  Chinese  Empire.  Situated  sixty  miles  from  the  sea, 
and  near  the  Yang-tsz  River,  the  Mississippi  of  China, 
the  city  has  been  called  the  New  Orleans  of  the  Empire. 

Of  his  introduction  to  and  earliest  adventures  in  this 
strange  city,  which  was  to  be  his  life-long  home  and 
field  of  labor,  Mr.  Yates  has  written  a  charming  narra- 
tive. 

I  knew  no  one  in  the  great  city  that  lay  before  me.  Nor 
was  there  in  it  any  foreign  hotel  or  boarding  house,  where  we 
might  stay  for  a  few  days.  And  as  to  the  foreign  merchants 
and  missionaries  already  there,  mos:  of  them  were  in  the  heart 
of  the  native  city.  As  we  walked  the  deck  of  the  ship,  viewing 
the  dark  ocean  of  heathenism  before  us,  we  held  a  consultation. 
The  decision  was  that  the  leap  in  the  dark  must  be  taken.     The 


Yates  The  Missionary.  47 

first  thing  was  to  get  a  t>lace  for  a  base  of  operations,  a  standing 
ground  that  we  could  call  our  home.  Difficulties  we  expected 
and  were  prepared  to  take  them  as  they  came. 

While  I  was  in  Hong  Kong,  Dr.  Dean  had  given  me  a  letter 
of  introduction  to  the  Austrian  Consul  at  Shanghai,  whose 
house  was  near  the  anchorage.  Armed  with  this,  I  left  Mrs. 
Yates  on  board  the  ship,  and  went  ou  shore  to  spy  out  the  land. 
The  Austrian  Consul,  havmg  his  house  full  of  ship-wrecked 
French  ofificers,  could  afTord  me  no  accommodations.  He  put 
me  into  his  official  sedan  chiir,  having  four  bearers  and  a  runner 
ahead,  to  clear  the  way,  and  directed  them  to  take  me  to  the 
house  of  Bishop  Boone,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
distant  one  and  one-half  miles. 

They  dashed  into  the  crowded  stieet  (only  seven  or  eight 
feet  wide)  at  what  I  thought  a  dangerous  speed,  screaming  an 
unintelligible  speech.  This  I  supposed  from  the  actions  of  the 
runner,  who  shoved  the  people  against  the  walls,  was  to  make 
them  yield  the  road.  Some  careless  ones,  not  heeding  the  call, 
received  hard  knocks  with  the  corners  of  my  sedan.  Seeing 
this  and  desirous  of  their  safety,  I  drew  myself  together,  first 
on  one  side  of  the  sedan,  then  on  the  other,  trying  to  save 
them  as  much  as  possible.  But  I  soon  discovered  that  all  ef- 
forts on  my  part  were  useless.  The  people,  as  I  judged  from 
their  countenances  and  actions,  abused  the  bearers,  while  the 
bearers  abused  the  people  for  not  heeding  their  call  to  get  out 
of  the  way.  I  seemed  in  the  midst  cf  a  riotous  mob  for  at  least 
one  mile.  When  the  apparent  disturbance  seemed  to  reach  its 
culminating  point,  I  perceived  that  1  was  being  carried  up, 
and  tip,  to  the  eaves  of  the  houses  on  either  side;  then  I  crossed 
a  high  rock  bridge;  and  then,  as  quickly  as  by  a  sudden  dive, 
I  descended  into  the  dark  mass  of  humanity.  1  say  dark,  for 
the  street  being  very  nar"ow  and  covered  over  with  coarse 
matting  to  keep  out  the  sun,  had  the  appearance  of  a  dimly- 
lighted  tunnel. 

Thus  I  went  on,  and  on,  till  the  sedan  turned  a  corner  and 
soon  was  set  down  in  a  nariow  alley.  I  crawled  out  and  began 
to  look  for  the  bishop's  house.  But  the  houses  were  all  Chinese. 
I    knocked   at  some   of  the   doors   in   the   high   walls,   and   had 


48  Yates  The  Missionary. 

them  slammed  in  my  face,  for  they  were  Chinese  residences. 
After  some  beating  about  in  the  numerous  narrow  passages, 
I  spied  a  foreign  child's  dress  hung  out  to  dry. 

Invited  by  this  sign  of  civilization  I  entered  the  house  of 
Rev.  E.  W.  Syle,  and,  much  to  his  surprise,  not  through  the 
gate,  but  through  the  back  court  and  kitchen.  Bishop  Boone, 
who  lived  next  door,  came  in,  and  they  soon  comprehended  my 
situation.     But  neither  of  them  had  a  room  or  bed  to  spare. 

Mr.  Syle  went  out  with  me  to  look  at  some  vacant  houses  that 
were  for  rent.  They  proved  to  be  large,  one-story,  sugar  ware- 
houses, with  floors  as  damp  as  that  of  an  ice  house.  After 
lunch  we  went  out  again;  but  nothmg  that  we  saw  would  do 
for  a  white  man  to  live  in.  As  evening  was  approaching  and  I 
knew  that  Mrs.  Yates  was  already  becoming  uneasy  at  my 
absence,  we  returned  and  reported  onr  failure  to  Bishop  Boone. 
He  very  kindly  said,  "If  you  have  bedding,  you  can  sleep  on 
my  parlor  floor;  that  is  the  best  we  can  do  for  you."  I  gladly 
accepted  his  ofifer,  and  at  once  returned  to  the  vessel,  much 
to  the  relief  of  Mrs.  Yates.  Mr.  Syle,  who  could  speak  the  lan- 
guage to  some  extent,  assisted  me  in  getting  some  things  on 
shore  before  it  was  quite  dark.  Thus,  you  see,  we  made  an 
humble  entrance  into  Chinr-,  our  first  night  at  Shanghai  being 
passed  on  the  floor;  but  we  entered.  Next  day  the  good  bishop 
succeeded  in  borrowing  a  bedstead  and  we  were  more  com- 
fortable. 

In  a  few  days,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Syle,  I  rented  a 
house  about  the  center  of  the  city.  It  was  well  known  to  be 
haunted;  no  Chinaman,  for  any  consideration,  could  be  in- 
duced to  live  in  it,  for  several  murders  had  been  committed 
within  its  high  walls.  The  landlord  frankly  told  Mr.  Syle  that 
the  house — known  as  Yah-djaw-loong — was  infested  with  devils 
He  was  amazed  to  learn  that  we  wert-  not  afraid  of  devils;  and 
still  more  so  to  learn  that  when  we  went  in  the  evil  spirits  would 
depart. 

This  house  had  been  las;  used  a-,  a  pawnbroker's  establish- 
ment. All  the  partitions  above  stairs  had  been  removed,  leaving 
a  large,  barn-like  hall,  pierced  at  regular  intervals  by  the  posts 
which   both   supported   the    heavy   tile   roof   and   indicated   the 


Yates  The  Missionary.  49 

divisions  of  the  space  into  rooms.  PJcre  were  abundant  signs  of 
the  spirits  or  ghosts,  of  which  we  had  been  duly  warned — rats. 
Into  one  side  of  this  dirty  place  we  moved  ourselves  with  sundry 
boxes  and  trunks  containing  our  worldly  goods. 

This  was  a  time  to  hear,  words  of  complaint  from  a  wife  if 
she  had  not  counted  the  cost  or  fully  made  up  her  mind  to 
share  my  fortune.  But  from  that  day  to  the  present  no  such 
word  has  ever  been  known  to  pass  her  lips.  All  honor  to  a 
brave  woman! 

I  had  come  provided  witii  a  box  of  carpenter's  tools.  Bed- 
stead, cooking  stove,  crockery,  etc.  were  soon  unpacked  so 
far  as  to  provide  for  immediate  necessities.  And,  with  the 
boards  and  nails  of  packing  cases,  my  own  hands  extemporized 
a  partition  higher  than  a  inan's  head,  and  so  made  a  private 
room. 

The  day  we  moved  in,  JMr.  Syle  had  his  cook  do  some  mar- 
keting for  us  and  secure  a  man  whorr-  we  called  cook.  He  was 
able  and  willing  to  work,  and  understood  signs  very  readily- 
We  had  no  other  means  of  commum cation  with  him. 

However,  we  had  learned  from  Mr.  Syle,  one  sentence  of 
the  spoken  language — Te-ko-kiaw-sal  What  is  this  called'?  Thus 
supplied  with  a  house,  a  cook,  a  ham.,  a  few  vegetables  (we  had 
also  a  few  biscuits  with  us),  and  one  sentence  of  the  spoken  lan- 
guage, we  commenced  life  \n  Shanghai. 

When  Mr.  Syle  left  us  alone  in  Yah-djaw-loong,  our  con- 
sciousness of  impotence  was  oppressive  in  the  extreme.  We 
were  as  ignorant  of  the  language  of  the  people  as  that  of  birds 
or  beasts.  Moreover  our  combined  knowledge  of  practical 
housekeeping  soon  demonstrated  that  we  had  imported  an 
ignorance  that  was  equivalent  to  paralysis.  We  could  not  give 
the  cook  directions  about  our  first  meal,  nor  could  we  cook 
a  bowl  of  rice  ourselves.  A  dilemma!  But  something  had  to  be 
done. 

Hard    work    at    opening   cases    and    unpacking    reminded    us 

it  was  dinner  time.     The  cook  stood  before  us,  grinning  as  he 

waited  for  orders.     What  should  I  do?     I  believed  that  I  could 

fry  a  slice  of  ham  and  scramble  a  few  eggs.     So,  armed  with 

4 


50  Yates  The  Missionary. 

the  one  sentence,  ''What  is  this  called?"  and  Mrs.  Yates  with 
blank  book  and  pencil  for  taking  notes,  down  the  ladder  we 
crawled  to  the  improvised  kitchen,  followed  by  the  cook,  who 
for  the  time  was  our  teacher.  I  pointed  at  the  cooking  stove, 
and  said  Te-ko-kiazv-sa?  (What  is  this  called?)  Answer,  Tih- 
tsaw.  "Write  that  down."  Seizing  a  bit  of  wood,  I  said: 
Te-ko-kiaw-sal  Answer,  Sza.  I  struck  a  match,  and  pointing 
at  the  fire,  said,  Te-ko-kiazu-sa?  Answer,  JVJw.  I  made  a 
fire  in  the  stove:  Te-ko-kiazv-sa?  Answer,  Sang-who.  In  like 
manner  I  took  the  carving  knife,  the  ham,  cut  the  ham,  took 
up  a  frying  pan,  cleaned  it,  fried  the  ham,  took  some  eggs, 
scrambled  them,  put  them  in  a  dis'.i,  asking  about  everything 
and  every  act,  Te-ko-kiazv-sa?  and  Mrs.  Yates  writing  down 
the  answer. 

We  then  crawled  up  the  ladder  to  our  great  hall,  feeling 
that  we  had  accomplished  something.  Taking  a  cloth,  the 
lining  of  a  box,  to  spread  on  a  packing  case  (for  we  had  no 
table),  I  said,  Tc-ko-kiazv-sa?  Answer.  Tsz-iare.  Then,  placing 
on  it  all  the  furniture  necessary  lo^  our  simple  repast,  and 
asking  the  name  of  each  article,  I  said,  Te-ko-kiaw-sa?  Answer, 
Ba  tay-tsz  (set  the  table). 

We  partook  of  ham  and  '"ggs  with  relish,  asking  no  questions 
till  we  had  finished.  Then  I  said,  Te-ko-kiazu-sa?  Answer, 
CKuh-van  (eat  rice). 

Thus  we  prepaicd  and  ate  our  first  meal  in  our  own  hired 
house.  The  character  of  our  conversation,  while  we  ate,  I 
leave  you  to  imagine;  for  the  way  before  us  was  dark.  We 
found  great  difficulty  in  d'^ciding  what  English  letters  would 
best  represent  to  our  ears  the  strange  sounds  we  heard;  for 
many  of  these  sounds  seemed  to  have  no  well  defined  initial 
or  final  letter  in  our  alphabet.  But  T  remembered  what  President 
Wait  said  to  me  on  entering;  college  late  in  life  and  with  limited 
funds,  ''Where  there  is  a  w'll,  there  is  a  way." 

We  set  vigorously  to  work  again,  unpacking  and  putting 
things  on  the  bed;  for  we  had  nowhere  else  to  put  them.  That 
key  sentence  which  gave  us  the  names  of  things  was  in  con- 
stant use  till  supper  time.  After  consultation,  we  ventured 
an    order    for    supper.      The    cook    was    called    and    had    read 


Yates  The  Missionary.  51 

out  to  him  a  digest  of  what  we  had  written  down,  as  follows: 
Tih-tsaw  (cooking  stove),  sang-zvho  (light  a  fire),  ngazu-bimg 
(frying  pan),  sing  kwo-sing  (wash  very  clean),  tsee  who  tay 
(fry  ham),  Ts'aw  tan  (scramble  eggs),  ha  tay-tsz  (set  the  table), 
cK  uh-van  (eat  rice). 

He  bolted  down  the  latlder  at  a  dangerous  speed,  and  we 
followed  to  see  if  his  actions  indicaced  that  he  understood  the 
order.  We  had  the  pleasure  of  congratulating  each  other,  for 
he  executed  the  order  to  the  letter.  We  took  courage.  I  think 
I  hear  you  say  that  must  have  been  an  intelligent  cook  to  com- 
prehend such  an  order.  Well,  his  name,  Tsih  kw'ay  (seventh 
son,  or  literally,  the  seven.ii  slice),  may,  to  some,  indicate  in- 
telligence. 

With  the  aid  of  an  English-Chinese  dictionary  we  were  able 
to  find  the  words  for  fish,  fowl,  mutton,  also  for  some  veg- 
etables, and  for  buy.  By  pointing  to  these  words  in  the  dic- 
tionary we  managed  in  our  orders  to  substitute  one  or  other 
of  these  articles  for  ham,  and  so  varied  our  diet  a  little. 

I  ate,  and  enjoyed  for  some  time,  what  I  supposed  was  oriental 
mutton,  before  I  discovered  that  it  was  goat  meat;  for  in  the 
dictionary  the  same  character  is  used  for  goat  and  sheep;  and, 
as  the  Chinese  in  this  part  of  the  empire  eat  only  the  former, 
my  cook  naturally  supposed  that  T  wanted  what  other  people 
ate. 

Rev.  Mr.  Syle  called  occasionally  to  see  if  we  needed  any 
help.  It  was  refreshing'  to  see  his  jovial  face,  for  we  usually 
had  many  questions  jotted  down  ^o  ask  him  about  the  lan- 
guage and  other  things.  He  was  a  great  help  to  us  and  was 
really  very  kind.  He  secured  for  us  a  teacher,  for  our  first 
great  work  was  to  learn  the  language.  This  was  a  sleepy- 
headed  old  man,  whose  name  was  Ting  (a  nail).  He  knew 
nothing  about  teaching  a  foreigner  how  to  talk.  He  could 
teach  the  meaning  of  Chinese  books,  but  we  understood  neither 
the  characters  in  which  the  books  v/ere  written  nor  his  expla- 
nation of  them. 

In  the  absence  of  a  gra-nmar,  vocabulary,  or  anything  else 
to  assist  us  in  learning  the  spoken  language,  the  best  we  could 
do  was  to  ply  him  with  that  king  sentence,   Te-ko-kiaw-sa?  till 


52  Yates  The  Missionary. 

he  must  have  been  disgusted  with  foreigners  who  did  not 
know  how  to  talk.  In  this  way  we  soon  had  the  names  of 
everything  in  and  about  the  house  written  down.  We  soon 
stumbled  upon  the  pronouns  Ngoc>  (I),  A^oojig  (You).  And 
from  Mr.  Syle  we  got  another  sentence  Te-ko-sa-yoong- 
dea  (What  is  the  use  of  this?)  We  could  ask  that  question,  but 
we  could  not  understand  the  teacher's  answer.  And,  as  he  did 
not  know  how  to  find  a  character  in  the  foreign  dictionary,  we 
had  no  resource  but  to  observe  how  things  were  done,  and  to 
inquire  what  certain  motions  or  actions  used  in  doing  a  thing 
were  called.  This  was  uphill  work  and  a  fruitful  source  of  the 
most  ludicrous  mistakes.  Of  these  we  knew  nothing  for  a 
long  time,  for  the  Chinese  are  too  polite  to  tell  you  of,  or  to 
laugh  at,  your  mistakes. 

It  is  very  different  now.  A  missionary  arriving  in  Shanghai 
hereafter  can  never  know  the  luxury  ui  roughing  it  or  of  digging 
for  the  language.  In  most  instances,  a  missionary  friend  will 
know  about  the  hour  he  is  to  arrive  and  meet  him  at  the 
steamboat  wharf  and  conduct  him  to  his  comfortable  home. 
If  he  is  a  stranger,  three  runners  from  good  hotels  will,  as  soon 
as  the  steamer  is  made  fast,  present  their  cards  and  offer  their 
services:  "Carriage  at  the  wharf,  sir;  go  right  up."  And  when 
he  is  rested  and  ready  to  commence  the  study  of  the  language, 
he  will  find  in  English  and  Chinese  "First  Lessons  in  Chinese," 
grammars,  and  a  great  variety  of  books,  including  the  Scriptures 
and  many  religious  tracts  in  the  Shanghai  dialect,  both  in  the 
Roman  and  Chinese  characters.  With  these,  and  a  will  to  fit 
himself  for  work,  he  ought  to  learn  the  spoken  language  in 
a  much  shorter  time  than  we,  who  came  earlier,  were  able  to  do. 

The » days  of  romance  and  personal  adventure  in  the  East 
are  past.  No  one  need  hope  now  to  immortalize  himself  bv 
imprisonment  or  hazardous  adventure.  What  is  needed  now  is 
indefatigable  evangelistic  ivork  and  prayer  without  ceasing. 

Two  weeks  from  the  time  of  our  arrival,  September  25,  1847, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tobey  arrived  from  Hong  Kong,  and  moved  into 
one  corner  of  Yah-djaw-loong.  Bi other  Tobey,  with  glasses 
adjusted,  moved  about,  with  his  head  at  an  angle  of  two  degrees, 
trying  to  see  daylight  over  the  high  wall,   and  said  but  little. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  5j 

Being  near-sighted,   he   probably   could   not   see   the   evidences 
of  the  presence  of  ghosts. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  days  we  considered  the  matter  and 
decided  that  Yah-djaw-loong  would  not  accommodate  the  whole 
mission.  As  Mr.  Shuck  and  his  family  were  expected  from 
Hong  Kong  in  a  few  weeks  (they  arrived  October  27,  1847),  we 
resolved  to  abandon  Yah-djaw-loong-  at  the  end  of  the  month, 
and  take,  for  two  years,  the  house  ot  the  Austrian  consul,  which, 
meanwhile,  had  been  vacated. 

The  "First  Lessons  in  Chinese,"  referred  to  above,  is 
the  title  of  a  work  subsequently  prepared  by  Air.  Yates. 
On  February  22,  1882,  Rev.  W.  S.  Walker,  who  had  ar- 
rived in  China  a  few  weeks  before,  wrote: 

Mr.  Yates  has  done  a  good  thing  in  writing  a  book  called 
"First  Lessons  in  Chinese."  It  has  been  of  great  service  to  me. 
It  is  a  key  to  the  whole  language.  By  the  use  of  it,  one  can 
learn  in  three  months  what  would  otherwise  take  a  year.  It 
justly  deserves  the  esteem  in  which  it  is  held  by  all  missionaries 
in  this  province. 

Two  letters  which  will  be  inserted  here  give  some 
details  which  are  not  contained  in  the  reminiscences, 
the  first  being  to  his  parents: 

Shanghai,  Oct.  15,  1847. 

Our  room  was,  a  little  while  ago.  like  a  great  barn.  I  have 
had  to  divide  it  up  into  rooms,  bri-^k  up  the  side,  put  malting 
on  the  floor,  to  cover  up  the  fleas  and  dirt,  and  ceil  overhead. 
Fortunately,  we  brought  stoves  from  New  York.  The  three 
cost  there  $30.  Here  they  would  have  cost  $80.  Our  house  is 
situated  nearly  in  the  center  of  this  great  city.  The  Chinese 
treat  us  very  kindly. 

Shanghai,   Nov.    i,   1847. 
To  Rev    S.  G.  O' Bryan:* 

The  climate  of  Shanghai  is  much  like  that  of  North  Carolina. 
Fires  are  now  necessary  for  comfort.  For  coal  we  have  to  pay 
$10  per  ton.     Wood  is  much  more  costly. 


*AIr.  O'Bryan  was  at  that  time  a  student  for  the  ministry  at 
Wake  Forest  College. 


54  Yates  The  Missionary. 

The  streets  of  Shanghai  are  narrow,  varying  from  three  to 
six  feet  in  width.  They  abound  in  fihh.  I  cannot  describe  it. 
The  city  is  intersected  by  canals  in  every  direction.  Into  these 
the  people  cast  trash  and  tilth  of  all  kinds.  Twice  a  day  these 
canals  are  filled  with  fresh  water  by  the  tide.  Then  the  people 
get  their  drinking  water,  and  we  missionaries  have  to  share  it 
with  them.  We  paid  a  man  for  a  v/hile  to  bring  water  from 
the  river,  but  we  know  now  that  he  did  not  do  it. 

These  are  intelligent  people,  and  all  that  they  need  to  make 
them  a  happy  people  is  the  gospel  ot  Christ.  Can  you  not  help 
us  to  give  it  to  them?  This  is  a  short  question.  Ask  God  if 
it  is  not  your  duty? 

I  have  never  once  regret^^ed  coming  to  China.  I  can  assure 
you  that  we  are  happy  here. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

BAD  EYES  AND  GOOD  EARS  —  1 84/ -8 — AGE  28-9. 


HE  Chinese  language  was  described  by  John 
Wesley  as  an  invention  of  the  devil  to  keep 
Christianity  out   of   China.      This   bnrrier    has 

not  kept  missionaries  out,  but  it  has  made  their 

work  difficult  and  has  often  betrayed  them  inio  absurdi- 
ties of  which  they  were  innocently  ignorant  at  the  time. 

This  puzzlesonie  tongue  has  44,700  characters  in  the 
standard  dictionary.  But  there  are,  moreover,  700  dis- 
tinct sounds,  to  each  of  which  is  attached  a  soil  of  musi 
cal  scale,  ranging  from  an  octave  to  an  octave  and  a  half, 
and  giving  a  variety  of  tones  which  can  only  be  detected 
by  a  nuisical  ear. 

The  tone  is  all-important.  The  same  word  may  mean 
grasshopper,  oar,  elephant,  mechanic,  or  pickles,  accord- 
ing to  the  tone.  A  man  is  "a  man"  only  when  the  cor- 
rect tone  is  given;  when  the  tone  is  changed,  he  easily 
becomes  a  carrot  or  a  nightingale.     A  missionary  who 


Yates  The  Missionary.  55 

was  trying-  to  tell  of  the  goodness  of  the  Heavenlv 
Father,  omitted  a  necessary  aspirate  from  the  word  for 
"heavenly,"  with  the  result  that  his  word  meanc  "crazy," 
Cases  have  occurred  in  which  Chinamen  have  remarked 
upon  the  similarity  between  English  and  Chinese,  sup- 
posing that  the  missionary,  who  had  been  doi^ig  his  best 
in  Chinese,  had  preached  in  English. 

In  this  difficult  language  Mr.  Yates  becanie  so  pro- 
ficient that  he  understood  and  spoke  it  as  if  iL  had  been 
his  native  tongue.  Indeed,  for  many  years  before  his 
death  the  Chinese  used  to  say,  "Yates  is  no  foreigner; 
he  is  a  Chinaman  with  his  queue  cut  ofl."  Dr.  W.  R. 
Lambuth,  novv^  Mission  Secretary  of  M.  E.  Church, 
South,  who  knew  him  intimately  in  China,  sdys  that  a 
Chinaman,  if  his  eyes  were  shut,  could  not  distinguish 
between  Yates'  talk  in  Chinese  and  that  of  a  native. 

The  reasons  for  his  exceptional  attainmeir.s  in  the 
spoken  language  are  not  far  to  seek.  The  acuteness  of 
his  sense  of  hearing,  his  acquaintance  with  music,  his 
unusually  flexible  voice,  and  the  fact  that  thrcaicned  loss 
of  eyesight  compelled  him  to  mingle  with  the  people  and 
depend  upon  his  ears,  are  probably  the  most  n'iportant. 

The  letters  and  extracts  from  the  reminisccices  which 
follow  will  tell  the  story  of  Mr.  Yates'  first  experiences 
in  mastering  the  language.  The  subjoined  staiements  of 
his  fellow  student,  Dr.  J.  B.  Solomon,  furnish  an  intro- 
duction to  them. 

The  sense  of  hearing  of  Mr.  Yates  was  more  acute  than  that 
of  any  other  man  whom  I  have  ever  known.  While  his  music 
class  at  Wake  Forest  were  all  singing  together,  he  would  de- 
tect the  slightest  discord  and  indicate,  with  unerring  accuracy, 
the  individual  who  had  caused  it. 

To  this  acuteness  in  the  auditory  nerve  and  delicacy  of  dis- 
crimination is  doubtless  due,  in  pait,  his  wonderful  success  in 
mastering  the  Chinese  langiiage. 

He  had  a  voice  more  musical,  of  wider  compass,  and  more 
completely  under  control  than  that  of  any  other  man  I  have 
ever  known.  Soft,  round,  full,  or  tremulous  at  his  will,  it  was 
melody  itself. 


56  Yates  The   Missionary. 

I  mention  these  things  to  indicate  the  natural  endowments 
which  fitted  him,  so  far  as  such  things  go,  for  his  mission  to 
China. 

Mr.  Yates'  account  of  his  earlier  experiences  shows 
that  these  endowments  were  of  little  avail  in  iiis  efforts 
to  learn  the  written  language: 

Having  secured  comfortible  quarters  just  without  the  city 
walls,  where  a  breath  of  fresh  air  and  a  ray  of  sunlight  were 
possible,  we  devoted  ourselves  to  the  study  of  the  language, 
the  character  of  the  people,  and  the  topography  of  the  place 
and  its  environs. 

This  period  of  hard  study  for  a  3- ear  or  two  was  a  sort  of 
incubation,  and  was  devoid  of  incidents  except  of  a  melancholy 
character.  In  addition  to  the  study  of  the  spoken  language,  I 
attempted  also  to  learn  ten  characters  a  day,  to  get  their  names, 
component  parts,  and  meanmgs,  to  write  them  from  memory, 
and  to  keep  up  the  back  review. 

This  proved  to  be  too  great  a  tax  on  mind  and  body.  My 
optic  nerve  gave  way,  and  my  eyesight  was  virtually  gone.  My 
head  seemed  to  be  enlarged,  and  the  many  characters  which  I 
had  learned  seemed  to  be  photographed  on  every  object  on 
which  I  cast  my  eye;  and,  whether  1  saw  them  in  this  way  or 
in  a  book,  the  commingled  forms  caused  my  head  to  grow 
dizzy.  After  repeated  rests  and  renewals  of  study,  with  the 
same  results,  my  physician  required  me  to  give  up  the  study  of 
the  Chinese  classics  or  else  abandon  the  missionary  work. 

When  tidings  of  the  failure  of  Mr.  Yates'  eyesight 
reached  Richmond,  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  wrote  to 
him: 

If  close  confinement  taxes  your  eyes,  do  not  try  to  use  them 
in  study  until  the  disease  is  entirely  removed.  But  take  much 
exercise,  using  your  ears  and  your  tongue  in  conversing  with 
the  people.  You  will  thui  be  abk-  to  acquire  the  language 
more  readily,  especially  the  correct  pronunciation  of  words. 

Mr.  Yates'  narrative  continues: 


Yates  The  Missionary.  57 

I  resolved  to  give  up  the  study  of  the  classics,  to  get  the 
spoken  language,  and  to  devote  my  life  to  preaching.  In  pur- 
suance of^  this  object,  much  of  the  time  was  spent  among  the 
people  in  the  tea  shops,  listening  to  them  as  they  talked,  and 
asking  and  answering  questions.  In  this  way  I  learned  the 
spoken  language,  in  a  great  measure,  by  ear.  As  the  result 
of  rest  and  of  a  blister  behind  each  ear  every  other  day  for 
nine  months,  my  sight  gradually  returned.  In  consequence  of 
this  affliction,  all'  my  literary  work  in  Chinese  has  been  done 
with  the  aid  of  an  amanuensis. 

To  give  up  the  study  of  the  Chinese  classics  was  a  sore  trial, 
but  I  trust  that  was  all  for  ihe  best.  For,  having  been  forced  to 
give  the  spoken  language  special  attention,  I  have  been  able  to 
use  it  with  much  greater  ease  and  fluency,  and  have  had  many 
years  of,  I  hope,  useful  labor. 

The  more  I  know  of  the  Chinese,  the  more  I  am  impressed 
with  the  importance  of  reaching  them  by  oral  teaching.  Their 
minds  seem  to  have  been  run  into  a  peculiar  mould  from  their 
close  study  of  their  symbolic  written  characters,  a  medium  which 
will  not  contain,  unconta  uinated  with  heathenism,  the  pure 
gospel  of  Christ. 

When  a  Chinaman,  who  understands  books,  attempts  to  read 
the  gospels  which  have  been  translated  into  the  symbolic  char- 
acters— the  ordinary  book  style — the  meaning  and  force  of  which 
he  knows  perfectly  well,  there  is  a  strong  temptation  to  apply 
to  them  the  ordinary  meanings  which  have  long  since  been 
indelibly  impressed  upon  his  memory,  and  thus  lose  the  true 
character  and  point  of  the  religious  truth  that  is  set  forth 
therein.  And  the  higher,  and,  consequently,  more  concise  the 
style,  the  greater  is  the  danger  to  the  mass  of  readers  of  being 
led  astray. 

In  one  year  after  the  date  of  our  arrival  in  Shanghai.  I  com- 
menced trj'ing  to  preach  or  talk  to  the  people  about  Jesus  as 
the  Saviour  of  men,  and  about  the  folly  of  worshiping  idols. 
We  had  no  church  or  preaching  place.  To  meet  our  immediate 
necessities,  we  converted  into  a  chapel  a  vacant  go-dozvn  (ware- 
house) wliich  belonged  to  the  lot  or  which  Rev.  J.  L.  Shuck 
and  I  lived  together.    Mr.  Fobey  lived  next  door.    We  furnished 


c^S  Yates  The  Missionary. 

this  place  with  benches,  without  backs,  fixed  a  table  for  a  pulpit, 
cut  a  door  in  one  side,  and  made  a  road  through  a  bamboo 
grove  to  the  street,  where  multitudes  were  passing  all  day 
long. 

We  invited  them  to  come  in,  but  the}^  were  shy,  apprehending 
some  danger.  Our  plan  was  for  one  to  stand  at  the  street 
gate  to  invite  the  people  in,  while  another  took  a  position  be- 
hind the  table.  The  duty  of  the  latter  was  to  commence  talking 
as  soon  as  there  were  two  or  three  seated,  in  order  to  engage 
their  attention;  otherwise  they  would  get  frightened  and  bolt. 
For  personal  safely,  they  usually  entered  in  groups  of  three  or 
four. 

By  degrees  the  number  of  those  wdio  were  willing  to  risk 
the  chances  of  being  caught  in  a  trap  increased  to  fifty  or  more. 
The  nevvs  went  abroad  that  we  were  good  men  and  that  we 
talked  about  morality.  The  people  listened  to  our  stammering 
addresses  with  eagerness,  but  it  was  the  eagerness  of  appre- 
hension and  curiosity.  The  meaning  of  what  we  were  trying  to 
say  was  to  them  of  little  consequence.  They  were  interested 
and  amused  in  hearing  foreigners  trying  to  talk  their  language. 

When  I  became  better  acquainted  with  the  dialect,  I  knew 
that  much  of  what  we  attempted  to  say  in  our  earlier  efforts 
was  not  intelligible.  These  efforts,  however,  were  of  great 
use  to  us  as  learners  of  the  language.  For  he  who  does  not  use 
his  Chinese  as  fast  as  he  learns  it  will  be  apt  to  forget  a  large 
portion  of  what  he  has  le;irned.  It  is  a  harp  of  a  thousand 
strings,  upon  which  much  practice  i^  necessary  in  order  to  at- 
tain proficiency. 

These  meetings,  too,  were  of  great  service  in  familiarizing 
the  people  with  foreigners.  They  had  a  large  amount  of  curi- 
osity that  had  to  be  gratified  before  they  could  give  attention 
to  the  truths  presented  by  us.  When  we  went  on  the  street, 
and  more  especially  if  the  ladies  were  with  us,  the  men  stood 
and  stared  at  us,  and  made  remarks  about  us  which  excited 
laughter  among  their  friends.  We  could  see  ahead  of  us  a  great 
commotion  among  the  women;  they  were  getting  about  as 
lively  as  they  could  on  their  little  feet,  in  order  to  get  their 
children   out  of  harm's  way.     They  slammed   and  bolted  their 


Yates  The  Missionary.  59 

doors  and  then  peeped  through  the  cracks  at  us  as  we  passed. 
They  would  scold  their  children  for  exposing  themselves  to 
barbarians,  who  would  catch  them,  carry  them  away,  and  scoop 
out  their  eyes  for  medicine. 

This  is  the  kind  of  education  that  the  generation  with  whom 
we  have  had  to  do  received  in  their  youth.  And  they  have 
faithfully  handed  it  down;  go  where  we  will,  in  city  or  country, 
we  hear  the  children  calling  out  "quai-tss"  (devil).  The  Chinese, 
in  their  intercourse  with  each  other,  seem  to  use  this  term  to 
designate  foreigners. 

Our  entry  into  China  was  only  four  or  five  years  after  the 
opium  war.  In  this  the  Chinese  had  been  beaten  by  the  English, 
and  compelled  to  sign  a  treaty  which  opened  five  ports  to 
foreign  trade,  and  to  pay  a  heavy  indemnity  to  meet  the  ex- 
penses of  the  war.  This  will  explain  why  they  were  feeling  so 
strongly  against  all  foreigners,  for  they  make  no  distinction 
between  nationalities.  They  said,  ''Foreigners  brought  to  our 
country  the  opium  which  is  killing  our  people  by  thousands 
and  is  impoverishing  all  classes.  This  opium  caused  the  war 
in  which  so  many  of  our  people  were  killed.  Now  they  want  to 
teach  us  a  new  religion.     Let  them  first  teach  their  own  people." 

Thus,  at  the  commencement  of  our  work  in  Shanghai,  we  had 
to  contend  against  a  subdued  but  fo7"midable  opposition.  The 
government  had  been  forced  to  sign  the  treaty,  but  the  great 
mass  of  the  people  indulged  their  hatred  to  the  full.  They 
abused  foreigners,  called  them  vile  names,  and  taught  their 
children  to  do  the  same.  All  this  hard  feeling  had  to  be  over- 
come, and  that,  too,  mainly  by  those  foreigners  who  were  able 
to  speak  Chinese.  These  were  eitl.cr  missionaries  or  the  few 
interpreters  connected  with  the  several  consulates.  And  the 
latter  had  intercourse  almost  exclusively  with  the  official  class. 

It  was  evident  that  a  more  perfect  knowledge  of  the  lan- 
guage was  absolutely  necessary  before  we  could  be  able  to 
talk  freely  on  all  subjects  so  as  to  correct  false  impressions  as 
to  the  real  objects  of  foreigners,  and  to  secure  a  calm  mind  to 
listen  to  our  message  of  salvation.  Time,  patience,  and  kind 
treatment  on  the  part  of  missionaries  led  one  and  another  to 
change  their  views.    After  a  few  years,  the  objects  of  foreigners 


6o  Yates  The  Missionary. 

in  coming  to  China  became  known  to  the  majority  of  the  people 
at  the  Five  Ports,  which  had  been  opened  by  the  treaty.  They 
seemed  to  acquiesce;  at  any  rate,  they  succumbed  to  the  inev- 
itable. 

But  at  interior  cities  and  in  regions  where  other  dialects 
were  spoken,  the  strongest  conser\atism  and  even  the  most 
violent  opposition  to  the  presence  of  foreigners  were  maintained 
by  all  classes.  We  had  to  content  ourselves,  for  a  while,  with 
work  at  the  port  of  Shanghai,  and  an  occasional,  cautious  visit 
to  the  nearest  towns. 


CHAPTER    VIL 

AT    WORK 1848 AGE    29. 

The  reminiscences  and  letters  contained  in  this  chap- 
ter describe  very  vividly  Mr.  Yates'  beginnings  in  actual 
and  active  missionary  labor. 

After  working  in  the  "go-down"  for  several  months,  we 
thought  that  we  could  speak  the  language  well  enough  to  extend 
our  operations  and  influence  to  other  localities.  Accordingly, 
after  much  difficulty  in  finding  a  n.an  who  would  consent  to 
rent  us  a  house  in  a  suitable  localit}.  we  succeeded  in  getting 
a  place  within  the  walls  of  the  city. 

It  was  a  double  house,  built  around  an  open  court,  fifteen  feet 
square.  The  Chinese  call  such  a  court  an  air-well.  By  putting 
a  roof  over  this  court,  and  removing  the  one  brick  partition 
which  separated  the  rooms  below  stairs,  we  had  a  place  that 
would  seat  several  hundred  persons.  And,  as  the  curiosity  of 
the  city  people  was  great,  we  secured  good  audiences  of  re- 
spectable looking  people,  to  whom  wt  preached  daily. 

I  cannot  commend  the  church-going  manners  of  the  people. 
Some  sat  quietly  and  listened  attentively;  some  smiled  and 
walked  about,  inspecting  what  was  to  be  seen;  others,  evidently 
displeased  or  disgusted  with  something  they  heard,  got  up  and 
walked  out.     So  the  congregation  was  coming  in  and  going  out 


Yates  The  Missionary.  6i 

during  the  entire  service,  just  as  they  were  in  the  habit  of  doing 
in  their  heathen  temples,  or  as  people  do  in  a  North  Carolina 
court  house. 

It  is  quite  likely  that  we  sometimes  said  some  things  that 
were  ludicrous,  or  even  indelicate;  for  at  that  time  I  knew  but 
little  about  the  tones,  and  nothing  at  all  about  the  aspirates  of 
the  language. 

Having  secured  a  place  within  the  city,  we  proceeded  to  in- 
quire for  a  lot  on  which  to  buiid  a  large  church  for  the  use  of 
foreigners,  the  funds  for  this  purpose  having  been  collected  by 
Rev.  J.  L.  Shuck  during  his  visit  to  the  United  States.  We  had 
the  plans  for  a  church  with  a  spire  i6o  feet  high.  We  procured 
a  lot,  but  that  spire  proved  an  impossibility.  No  Chinaman 
could  build  it.  Moreover,  it  would  have  destroyed  the  fung  shui* 
of  the  entire  city,  and  the  builder  would  probably  have  lost  his 
head. 

We  did,  however,  succeed  m  erecting  a  so-called  Gothic 
structure  with  a  brick  tower  eigh:v  feet  high.  And  that,  it 
was  said,  caused  the  death  of  the  district  magistrate,  for  it  was 
due  north — the  point  of  evil  influence — from  the  magistrate's 
residence. 

The  auditorium  was  sixty  by  forty  feet,  with  broad  galleries, 
baptistry  and  dressing  roojns.  Th-  hall  and  galleries  would 
seat  about  seven  hundred  persons.  About  1861  it  was  burned 
and  rebuilt,  without  galleries,  by  subscriptions  made  in  Shang- 
hai. As  It  was  the  most  conspicuous  object  in  or  about  the 
city,  of  course,  everybody  must  needs  go  to  see  the  "bell  tower," 
and  it  proved  to  be  a  great  civilizer. 

We  saw  the  house  crowded  from  day  to  day  for  many  months, 
when  the  weather  was  fine.  It  tooK  three  men  to  conduct  a 
service  in  any  sort  of  order.  One  stood  at  the  street  gate  to 
invite  the  people  to  come  in  and  be  seated;  otherwise  many 
would  not  have  dared  to  enter  such  a  building.  One  was  at 
the  church  door  to  be  pohte  to  the  people,  invite  them  to  be 
seated,  and  keep  them  quiec  and  in  the  church.  Another  stood 
in  a  raised  pulpit,  the  obsei  ved  of  a'l  observers,  and  preached. 

*The  term  ftiug  shut  is  used  to  express  the  propitious  influence 
of  the  dead  upon  the  welfare  of  the  living. 


62  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Unless  he  made  himself  very  interesting,  good  order  was  im- 
possible. The  people  would  go  out  when  they  had  seen  what 
was  to  be  seen.  When  they  came  out  by  the  dozen  and  seemed 
detrmined  to  leave,  the  doorkeeper  had  to  stand  aside  and  in- 
vite them  to  come  again.     Others  would  soon  take  their  places. 

Thus  the  waves  of  humanity,  in  stolid  ignorance  of  God. 
surged  in  and  out  of  our  religious  forum.  Here,  in  our  fierce 
conflict  with  the  overwhelming  odds  of  the  powers  of  darkness, 
we  tried  to  manage,  instruct,  and  interest  large  audiences  of 
people.  And,  especially  when  no  doorkeeper  could  be  present, 
it  was  necessary  to  be  as  bold  as  the  lion,  as  wise  as  the  ser- 
pent, as  harmless  as  the  dove. 

I  remember  preaching  on  one  occasion  to  a  full  house,  with- 
out a  doorkeeper,  when  my  skill  was  put  to  the  test. 

During  my  sermon,  when  the  audience  seemed  to  be  deeply 
interested,  I  touched  upon  the  teachings  of  Confucius.  There- 
upon a  literary  man  rose  to  his  feet,  about  fhe  center  of  the 
church,  and  began  to  speak.  In  order  to  counteract  the  efifect 
of  the  point  I  had  made  against  his  cherished  system,  he  com- 
menced repeating,  from  memory,  portions  of  the  Confucian 
Classics  in  the  book  style.  This  could  not  be  understood  by 
anyone  who  had  not  committed  to  memory  those  portions  of 
the  classics. 

When  he  took  his  seat,  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  me,  for  I 
had  remained  silent  while  he  was  talking.  I  saw  at  a  glance 
that,  although  the  people  did  not  understand  a  word  of  what 
had  been  said,  they  knew  that  it  was  something  from  the  sacred 
classics.  I  felt  that  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  meet  this  un- 
expected sally,  or  that  what  I  had  gained  would  be  lost. 
I  had  not  been  out  of  college  so  long  that  I  could  not  repeat 
some  of  the  speeches  which  I  had  declaimed  when  a  freshman. 
So  I  commenced,  in  English,  with  the  familiar  extract  from 
Wirt's  celebrated  speech,  *  Who  is  Blennerhassett?"  After  de- 
claiming for  a  few  minutes  m  the  most  approved  style,  I  stopped 
and  gazed  at  my  man.  All  eyes  were  at  once  turned  upon  him 
inquisitively,  as  nmch  as  to  say,  "What  have  you  to  say  to 
that?"  After  a  moment's  silence,  he  said,  "Who  can  understand 
foreign  talk?"     I  replied,  "Who  can  understand  Wenli   (book- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  63 

style)?  If  you  have  anything  to  say  let  us  have  it  in  the  spoken 
language,  so  that  all  can  understand  and  be  profited."  "Yes," 
said  many  voices,  '"speak  so  that  w*-  can  all  understand."  He 
then  attempted  an  argument,  but  it  happened  to  be  a  point 
on  which  I  was  well  posten.  At  a  single  stroke  of  my  sledge 
hammer,  he  succumbed  before  the  whole  audience.  This  caused 
him  to  become  much  excited  and  a  few  of  his  friends  came  to 
him  and  said,  "You  can  repeat  books.,  but  you  cannot  out-talk 
that  foreigner.  Come,  let  us  have  f.  cup  of  tea  and  you  will 
feel  better."  Thereupon  he  and  his  few  friends  left  the  church, 
but  the  people  were  pleased  to  remain  with  the  victor.  I  then 
resumed  and  finished  my  service  without  further  disturbance. 

During  more  than  thirty  years  of  labor,  I  have  never  met 
another  violent  opposer  of  the  gospel.  I  have  frequently  had 
men  to  say  during  the  service,  "If  the  Christian  religion  is  as 
pure  as  you  say  it  is,  why  do  you  brmg  opium  here  to  kill  us?" 
I  have  usually  disposed  of  such  questions  by  denouncing  the 
traffic,  disavowing  all  connection  with  it,  and  strongly  urging 
all  persons  not  to  use  the  drug. 

On  one  occasion,  when  it  was  my  lot  to  keep  the  door,  and 
the  lamented  George  Pearcy  was  preaching,  instead  of  saying, 
as  he  intended,  ngoo  taw  niung-tsz  ("now  I  suppose"),  he  said,' 
ngoo  fazo  niang  tss  ("I  have  taken  a  wife").  It  was  mainly  a 
mistake  in  aspiration.  The  audience  laughed  and  became  some- 
what boisterous,  all  crying  out,  "He  has  taken  another  wife." 
This  so  confused  Mr.  Pearcy  that  he  called  to  me  to  know  what 
was  the  matter.  I  said,  "Never  mind,  you  only  made  a  slight 
mistake;  go  on  quickly  or  you  will  lose  your  congregation." 

On  another  occasion  I  was  keeping  the  door  for  Brother  A. 
B.  Cabaniss.  He  preached  well,  and  was  evidently  interested 
in  his  subject.  In  closing,  he  told  his  audience  that  if  they 
would  repent  and  put  their  trust  in  Jesus  Christ,  when  they 
died  they  would  go  into  tien  (a  field)  He  intended  to  say,  t'ien 
(heaven).  An  old  farmer,  who  sat  neai  where  I  was,  exclaimed. 
"Mg!  (umph),  I  go  into  a  field  every  day,  and  I  am  tired  of  it." 
Such  are  the  tricks  of  the  language. 


64  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Shanghai,  July  4,  1848. 
To  Rev.  Thomas  JMercdith: 

Before  this  can  reach  you,  you  will  have  heard  of  the  loss 
of  our  fellow  laborers,  Doctor  and  Mrs.  James.  They  went 
down  in  the  schooner  Paradox,  in  sight  of  Hong  Kong.  This, 
to  all  human  appearance,  is  a  great  loss  to  us  and  to  the  heathen. 

The  population  of  Shanghai  is  estimated  at  200,000.*  About 
one  half  of  the  city  is  enclosed  by  a  wall  of  granite  and  brick. 
This  wall  is  about  six  miies  in  circumference,  about  twenty 
feet  high,  and  eighteen  feet  thick.  There  are  six  gates,  all 
of  which  are  closed  every  night  at  an  early  hour. 

The  streets  of  the  city  are  very  nanow,  varying  from  three  to 
seven  feet  in  width;  few,  however,  are  more  than  six  feet  wide. 
These  streets  are  crowded  with  human  beings,  and  through 
them  is  carried,  on  men's  shoulders,  every  kind  of  merchandise, 
large  and  small.  Indeed,  where  water  courses  are  not  con- 
venient, this  is  the  only  means  of  transportation. 

The  houses  are  built  of  wood  and  brick.  They  first  put  up 
a  wooden  framework,  and  then  fill  it  with  brick.  When  the 
house  is  completed,  it  presents  the  appearance  of  a  brick  build- 
ing. About  half  of  the  houses  are  two  stories  high.  For  roof- 
ing, a  concavo-convex  tile  is  generally  used. 

Most  of  the  public  buildings  of  Shanghai  are  devoted  to 
idolatrous  worship.  They  are  numerous  and  many  of  them  are 
immense  establishments.  It  is  shocking  to  behold  thousands, 
on  their  festival  days,  prostrating  themselves  before  idols  in 
these  temples. 

God's  Spirit  alone  can  work  a  reformation  among  these  peo- 
ple. The  gospel  must  first  be  brought  to  bear  on  their  con- 
sciences. To  do  this  we  must  have  men  and  means.  Is  there 
not  another  in  North  Carolina  who  is  willing  to  take  up  his 
abode  among  the  heathen  of  this  great  Empire? 

If  my  old  friends  wish  to  know  how  I  feel  noiv  about  the 
course  of  life  that  I  have  chosen,  ycu  can  with  all  truth  assure 
them  that  I  do  not  regret  becoming  a  missionary;  that  I  am 


*Since  this  letter  was  written,  the  population  of  Shanghai  has 
more  than  doubled. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  65 

not   sorry   that   I    am   where   I    can   point   the   heathen   to   the 
Lamb  of  God. 

The  Son  of  God  was  looked  upon  as  a  madman  when  he  came 
into  the  world  to  save  simers,  and  so  will  those  who  try  to 
imitate  him  ever  be  regarded  by  those  who  are  not  his  disciples. 
Which  of  these  two  classes  is  really  wise,  the  judgment  day  will 
decide. 

Shanghai,  Sept.  4,  1848. 
To  Rev.  Thomas  Meredith: 

When  the  last  mail  left,  I  was  too  feeble  to  send  you  even  a 
line.  At  that  time,  and  for  a  month  afterward  I  was  ill  and 
suffering.  It  takes  a  foreigner  at  least  two  years  to  learn  what 
food  he  may  safely  eat,  and  to  what  extent  he  may  expose  him- 
self to  the  heat  of  the  sun. 

We  have  free  access  to  the  vast  population  of  the  city  of 
Shanghai,  and  of  the  towns  and  villages  around.  By  means  of 
religious  books  and  native  agency,  we  can  have  access  to  many 
millions.  Soochow,  the  Oxford  of  China,  is  only  thirty  miles 
away.  Hangchow,  Nankin,  two  of  the  largest  cities  in  China, 
and  scores  of  towns  and  villages  with  population  of  from 
25,000  to  200,000  souls,  are  all  accessible  by  water  communica- 
tion. 

The  churches  have  long  been  praying  that  China  might  be 
opened.  Have  brethren  thought  what  their  prayers  would  cost 
them?  Does  not  the  fact  that  God  has  opened  China  in 
answer  to  prayer  place  the  churches  under  obligations  to  occupy 
the  ground  and  scatter  far  and  wide  the  seed  of  the  kingdom? 

Shanghai,  Sept.  23,  1848. 
To  Rev.  Samuel  Wait,  D.D.: 

We   have   now   been   keeping  house   one   year.      During  this 

time  we  have  been  wholly  occupied  in  endeavoring  to  acquire 

the   spoken   language   of  this   province.      In   my   daily   walks    I 

distribute  many  religious  books  and  tracts.     Those  who  know 

something  about  the  Chinese  language  say  that  we  have  made 

very  respectable  progress.     We  cannot  speak  for  ourselves  on 

this  point.     My  first  attempt  to  preach  to  the  heathen  from  the 

pulpit   was   just   twelve   months   from   the    date   of   my   arrival. 

5 


66  Yates  The  Missionary. 

My  attempts  to  preach  must,  for  the  present,  of  course,  be  made 
in  great  weakness.  A  beginner  in  Chinese  is  usually  allov/ed 
two  years;  but  I  feel  that  my  position  is  a  responsible  one  and 
that  a  very  important  commission  has  been  committed  to  my 
charge;  therefore,  I  cannot  consent  to  remain  silent  or  inactive. 

We  have  recently  opened  a  preaching  place  on  one  of  the 
most  crowded  streets  of  the  city.  It  is  opened  every  day  and 
the  congregations  vary  from  two  to  four  hundred  in  number. 

Mr.  Tobey  is  compelled,  by  his  wife's  health,  to  return  home. 
Cannot  Wake  Forest  furnish  a  man  to  take  his  place?  I  trust 
that  and will  give  themselves  to  foreign  mis- 
sion work.  Why  should  they  not?  Do  they,  as  is  the  case  with 
many,  love  their  ease  and  comfort  more  than  their  Saviour  and 
the  souls  of  men?  When  will  the  young  ministers  of  the  present 
day  learn  to  make  more  vigorous  efforts  to  promote  the  glory 
of  God  than  to  advance  their  own  glory  among  men? 

Could  they  behold  the  thousands  who  throng  the  streets  of 
this  heathen  city,  methinks  their  spiiits  would  be  moved  within 
them,  and  they  would  attempt  to  make  known  a  Saviour's  love, 
even  though  they  could  do  nothing  more  than  smite  upon 
their  breasts  and  point  toward  heaven.  Ambitious  aspirations 
would  be  subdued  and  they  would  be  led  to  ask  more  frequently 
and  earnestly,  "Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?" 

We  are  happy  in  our  field  of  labor.  We  would  not  change 
places  with  any  of  those  who  think  their  positions  to  be  stations 
of  honor. 

Shanghai,  October,  1848. 
To  the  Raleigh  Association: 

Our  new  preaching  place  is  called  Kong-Say-Dong  (Dis- 
coursing-book-hall).  We  have  large  congregations,  all  the  seats 
frequently  being  filled  with  attentive  listeners.  I  am  only  in  the 
a-b,  ab,  of  this  crooked  language;  still,  I  assure  you  that  it 
is  a  great,  great  pleasure  co  be  able  to  do  a  little  in  the  way 
of  enlightening  this  vast  multitude. 

Shanghai,  Nov.  7,  1848. 
To  his  Father: 

Brother  Shuck  and  I,  with  our  families,  are  now  left  alone, 
as   the   only   representatives   of   Southern    Baptists,   to    contend 


Yates  The  Missionary.  67 

against  the  evils  of  idolatry  in  this  most  distant  corner  of  the 
earth.  But  we  are  happy  in  the  hope  that  the  places  of  those 
who  have  left  will  soon  he  supplied.  Brethren  Pearcy  and 
Johnson  are  now  on  their  way  from  Canton  to  join  us. 

I  can  assure  you  that  I  am  happy  in  my  field  of  labor,  and  I 
am  still  more  happy  in  being  able  to  take  part  in  the  public 
duties  of  a  missionary.  The  work,  indeed,  is  arduous;  but  it 
is  not  without  encouragements. 

One  man  has  expressed  an  earnest  desire  to  become,  as  he 
says,  a  follower  of  Ya-soo  (Jesus).  He  knows  much  of  the 
gospel,  but  we  are  not  yet  satisfied  ia  regard  to  his  conversion. 
You  can  form  no  idea  of  the  darkness  of  a  heathen's  mind  in 
respect  to  God  and  eternal  things.  It  is  worse  than  a  blank. 
They  think  that  after  death  their  spirits  go  into  some  bird  or 
animal,  the  spirit  of  a  good-natured  ir.an  into  a  harmless  animal, 
and  the  spirit  of  a  bad  man  into  a  bird  of  prey  or  ferocious 
animal.  Some  think  that  the  spirits  o^  the  dead  fioat  in  the  at- 
mosphere without  a  dwelling  place.  Hence  they  burn  straw 
houses  for  them  to  live  in,  paper  boxes  for  them  to  put  their 
clothes  in,  and  paper,  silvered  into  the  semblance  of  money,  for 
them  to  buy  food  with.  This  is  done  for  ancestors  who  have 
been  dead  for  centuries. 

And  yet,  in  spite  of  all  their  darkness,  we  trust  that  the  Lord 
will  bless  bur  efforts  for  their  conversion. 

Shanghai,  Nov.   18,  1848. 
To  Rev.  Thomas  Meredith: 

IMost  of  my  time  for  the  last  year  has  been  spent  in  en- 
deavoring to  catch  the  exact  sound  and  tone  of  the  words  of 
this  most  difficult  language.  Of  its  difficulties  I  can  at  present 
give  you  no  idea.  Having  made  sufficient  progress  to  take 
part  in  the  public  duties  of  a  missionary,  I  will  try  to  give 
you  some  idea  of  our  mode  of  procedure. 

Besides  our  preaching  service,  foui*  times  a  week,  we  open 
our  large  chapel  at  11  o'clock  on  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  Thurs- 
days, and  Saturdays  for  religious  conversation  and  tract  dis- 
tribution. This  chapel  is  located  on  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
crowded  streets  of  the  city. 

Brother  Shuck  and  1  or  one  of  our  two  native  preachers,  in 


68  Yates  The  Missionary. 

turn,  take  seats  in  the  chapel,  in  front  of  the  door,  by  the  side 
of  a  small  Chinese  table.  On  this  are  a  few  hundred  religious 
tracts.  Very  soon  two  or  three  Chinese,  attracted,  perhaps, 
by  curiosity,  come  in  from  the  crowded  street.  They  are  in- 
vited to  take  seats.  They  then  are  asked  if  they  worship  idols, 
and  if  so,  what  idol.  If  they  have  heard  missionaries  preach 
before,  many  of  them  will  say  that  they  do  not  worship  idols; 
that  it  is  very  bad  to  worship  them. 

Then  the  missionary  commences  his  work,  by  showing  the 
uselessncss  of  worshiping  idols,  the  work  of  men's  hands,  and 
commends,  in  their  stead,  the  living  God  as  the  object  of  wor- 
ship. At  the  same  time,  a  tract  is  presented,  with  the  request 
that  it  be  read  and  its  contents  considered.  Among  the  tracts 
available  for  such  use  are  "The  Ten  Commandments,  With 
Commentary,"  "Jesus,  the  Only  Saviour,"  "Are  You  Afraid 
To  Die?"  "An  Address  to  the  People  of  Shanghai,"  which 
gives  our  names,  our  country,  our  object  in  coming  to  China, 
and  a  summary  of  the  Christian  religion. 

When  the  first  leave,  others  entei.  An  hour  or  two,  thus 
spent,  are  full  of  interest  to  the  young  missionary.  In  every 
group  there  are  always  to  be  found  some  who  will  listen  with 
apparent  interest  to  the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  majority,  how- 
ever, while  glad  to  receive  the  foreign  made  books,  care  noth- 
ing for  these  things.  I  have  had  men  to  step  up  to  me  in  the 
midst  of  a  most  pointed  address  and,  with  an  air  of  indifference, 
say,  "Your  coat  is  made  of  very  fiue  cloth;  how  much  did  it 
cost  in  your  country?"  In  spite  of  these  dampers,  I  feel  en- 
couraged so  long  as  I  have  even  a  few  attentive  listeners.  We 
can  only  sow  the  good  seed  and  pray  that  it  may  fall  into  good 
soil. 


Yates  The  MrsiiioNARY.  69 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

REACHING    OUT 1849 AGE    30. 

The  reminiscences  and  letters  contained  in  this  chap- 
ter tell,  amono^  other  things,  of  Mr.  Yates'  earliest  ex- 
cursions into  the  interior. 

Shanghai  being  a  great  emporium  of  trade— the  seaport  of 
Central  China— merchants  i^om  diffeicnt  provinces  concentrated 
here  for  trade.  These  men  came  to  see  us,  came  to  our  chapel, 
and.  on  suitable  occasions,  talked  freely  with  us.  In  the  course 
of  time  they  began  to  hold  more  intelligent  views  about  us. 
And  their  reports,  when  they  returned  to  their  homes,  imparted 
information  and  removed  prejudice.  A  sight  of  the  foreign- 
made  articles  carried  home  by  these  merchants  was  a  proof 
that  the  hated  foreigner  was  far  in  advance  of  the  Chinese. 

In  this  way,  calmer  and  more  reasonable  views  were  adopted 
by  the  mass  of  the  people;  but  the  officials  and  the  literati, 
who  hope  to  succeed  the  officials,  maintained  their  opposition 
tor  a  long  time.  Even  to  this  day  there  is  a  subdued  opposition 
among  the  official  class. 

When  we  take  into  account  the  fac^  that  there  were  no  news- 
papers for  shaping  and  unifying  public  sentiment,  everything 
having  to  pass  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  therefore  liable  to  be 
distorted,  the  results  achieved  seem  very  great.  The  patient 
work  of  subduing  the  violent  opposition  of  the  millions  of  this 
great  Empire  to  such  a  degree  that  missionaries  can  and  do 
travel  and  preach  the  gospel  in  every  province  but  one,  has 
wrought  one  of  the  grandest  triumphs  of  modern  missionary 
enterprise.  The  people  have  not  embraced  the  gospel,  for  but 
few  of  them,  comparatively,  have  heard  it;  but  the  way  has  been 
opened  for  them  to  hear  it. 

For  years  our  work  was  in  the  dark,   for  we  did  not  know 
whether  we  were  understood  or  not      In  ordinary  matters,  we 


70 


Vates  The  Missionary. 


could  judge  by  the  actions  of  those  with  whom  we  conversed; 
but  in  spiritual  matters,  wc  could  have  no  such  proof.  They 
said  that  they  understood  us;  but  that  was  no  proof. 

Well,  there  was  nothing  left  for  u^  to  do  but  to  continue  to 
preach  to  the  best  of  our  ability  and  to  leave  the  result  with 
God. 

In  the  summer  of  1849,  we  had  our  first  experience  of  a 
typhoon  {Tai-fuiig,  great  wind).  Jt  caused  this  whole  region 
to  be  flooded  for  a  hundred  miles  inland  to  a  depth  of  several 
feet.  In  the  interior  the  standing  \Aater  remained  for  months, 
causing  a  complete  destruction  of  the  rice  crop  and,  conse- 
quently, a  famine.  Thousands  of  famine-stricken  poor  resorted 
to  Shangh.ai  and  were  supported  bv  foreigners.  And,  as  sys- 
tem was  observed  in  this  charity,  it  was  found  that  a  Chinaman 
could  be  supported  on  two  jents  a  day. 

As  Shanghai  was  the  port  from  which  grain  was  brought 
from  other  ports  of  China,  thousards  of  traders  came  to  the 
city  at  that  time  of  unusual  demand,  both  to  sell  and  buy.  The 
foreign  settlement,  without  the  city,  and  the  bell-tower,  within 
the  city,  being  the  objects  of  greatest  attraction  to  these  vis- 
itors, we  met  and  preached  to  many  of  them.  We  talked  freely 
on  many  subjects.  Our.  religion  th'-y  did  not  understand,  and 
it  was  evident  that  they  did  not  have  much  reverence  for  their 
own  systems.  They  were  simply  curious.  And,  as  we  were 
civil  to  them,  some  of  them  invited  rs  to  go  to  their  places  and 
preach;  not  that  they  were  at  all  interested  in  the  gospel  mes- 
sage, but  they  thought  it  vvould  afitord  innocent  amusement  to 
the  people  of  their  towns  These  had  never  seen  foreigners, 
but  had  heard  strange  stories  about  them. 

We  therefore  began  to  make  short  excursions  to  the  nearest 
interior  towns.  An  elephant  caparisoned  in  the  grandest  style 
of  an  oriental  prince  would  not  have  excited  more  curiosity 
than  our  boat  did,  as  wc  passed  by  towns  and  villages.  By  some 
means,  the  news  of  our  coming  went  ahead  of  us,  and  when  we 
approached  a  village  or  town  wc  found  the  banks  of  the  canal 
and  the  fine  stone  bridges  crowded  with  gazers;  men,  women, 
and  children. 

Wc  were  not  long  in   finding  out  that  the  wisest   policy,   to 


Yates  The  Missionary.  71 

avoid  being  stoned  out,  w.is  to  stand  on  the  bow  of  the  boat, 
so  that  all  could  have  a  full-length  view.  What  was  more  sat- 
isfactory was  to  stop  the  boat  and  go  on  shore,  where  all  could 
have  the  full  gratification  of  a  near  approach  to  and  a  thorough 
examination  of  the  Western  man,  wh. .  was  supposed  to  be  hairy, 
hke  a  horse.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  was  necessary  to 
command  the  crowd;  and  the  only  way  to  do  this  was  to  speak 
to  them— get  the  floor  and  keep  it— till  I  was  ready  to  return 
to  my  boat,  and  then  leave  immediately. 

In  carrying  out  this  expedient,  to  preserve  order  and  prevent 
a  riot,  I  addressed  myself  to  the  more  intelligent  and  thoughtful 
looking  of  the  spectators  mi  front  of  me;  while  at  my  sides 
and  back  as  many  as  could  get  to  me  were  deeply  interested  in 
examining  my  clothes  and  pulling  uo  the  legs  of  my  trousers  to 
see  if  my  legs  were  really  covered  with  hair  like  the  legs  of  a 
horse.  While  thus  engaged,  they  were  warned  by  their  friends 
of  the  danger  of  being  kicked.  I  have  heard  them  reply  to  this 
warning,  "Why,  he  is  not  like  a  horse  at  all;  his  skin  is  whiter 
and  smoother  than  ours.  We  have  been  deceived  in  buying 
those  hairy  pictures."  They  had  a:,  impression,  too,  that  a 
foreigner's  legs  were  stiff,  having  no  knee  joints.  One  exami- 
nation by  a  dozen  persons  was  suffxient  to  inform  and  satisfy 
a  town  or  large  region  of  country.  Word  was  passed  from  one 
to  another  that  the  foreigner  was  l.-ke  themselves,  except  that 
he  wore  no  queue  and  ate  his  rice  diflferently.  They  were  more 
than  anxious  to  see  us  take  our  meals. 

As  may  readily  be  imagined,  we  preached  under  difficulties 
m  these  early  excursions.  A  large  amount  of  curiosity  had  to 
be  gratified  before  we  found  it  possible  to  get  access  to  their 
mmds.  And  this  is  the  first  missionary  work  that  has  to  be 
done,  even  now,  in  a  strange  locality.  It  was  only  after  giving 
this  sort  of  exhibition  several  times  at  a  place,  that  we  had  a 
chance  to  preach  to  an  attentive  audience.  Even  then  it  was 
necessary  to  request  two  or  three  peisons  to  keep  barking  dogs 
away.  &       s 

It  is  a  depressing  thought  that  it  takes  a  long  time,  in  a 
strange  locality,  for  Chinamen  to  hear  what  a  foreigner  is  say- 
ing.    They  may  understand  each  word  that  he  utters,  but,  not 


^2  Yates  The  Missionary. 

apprehending  what  is  the  subject  th?.t  he  is  talking  about,  and 
their  minds  not  being  accustomed  to  thinking,  they  do  not 
leave  old  ruts  very  easily. 

An  incident  which  occurred  after  the  time  of  which  I  am 
writing  illustrates  this  point.  In  the  British  Court  at  Shanghai 
I  had  been  asked  to  interpret  the  testimony  of  some  Chinese 
witnesses  in  a  murder  case.  I  asked  the  first  witness,  a  common 
countryman,  the  question  propounded  by  the  counsel  for  the 
plaintitif.  The  witness  replied,  "I  do  not  understand  foreign 
talk."  I  asked  the  same  question  a  second  time  and  received 
the  same  answer.  There  was  a  slight  commotion  in  the  court; 
the  judge  and  other  foreigners  seemed  to  be  enjoying  my 
dilemma.  I  asked  the  judge  to  allow  me  to  enter  into  a  little 
conversation  with  the  witness  on  my  own  account,  in  order  to 
convince  him  that  I  was  speaking  Chinese.  Permission  having 
been  given,  I  asked  my  man  if  he  had  eaten  his  rice.  "Yes," 
he  replied.  "Where  do  you  live?"  said  I.  He  told  me.  "How 
many  children  have  you?"  "Why,"  he  exclaimed,  "you  speak 
Chinese!"  "Certainly;  now  do  not  be  alarmed.  I  want  you 
to  tell  me  what  you  know  about  thir  murder."  I  then  said  to 
the  judge,  "The  witness  understand-  Chinese  now."  There  was 
no  further  trouble.  The  man  answered  every  question  that 
was  put  to  him.     His  mind  had  to  be  aroused.* 

And  so  it  is  with  the  masses  m  regard  to  our  message.  They 
can  hear  sermon  after  sermon,  at  first,  without  apprehending  at 
all  the  subject  presented  to  them. 

When,  therefore,  I  appear  before  •!  strange  audience,  I  com- 
mence with  some  familiar  conversation  in  order  that  they  may 
understand  that  I  am  talking  to  them  in  their  own  language  and 
about  something  that  they  can  understand.  I  then  tell  them 
what  I  am  going  to  talk  about  and  try  to  make  them  see  that 


*Readers  who  may  happen  to  be  interested  in  psychology 
will  recognize  in  this  incident  an  excellent  illustration  of  the 
effect  of  "The  Summation  of  Stimuli."  Cf.  Fowler,  quoted  by 
Prof.  James:  Psych.  Vol.  1,  p.  85.  "The  first  question  to  a 
peasant  seldom  proves  more  than  a  flapper  to  arouse  the  torpid 
adjustments  of  his  ears.  A  second  or  even  a  third  may  be  re- 
quired to  elicit  an  answer. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  73 

it  is  a  matter  in  which  all  should  lee!  an  interest.  After  thus 
placing  myself  in  accord  with  my  hearers,  I  repeat  a  text  or  a 
theme  for  their  consideration,  and  talk  about  it  in  a  style 
suitable  for  a  Sunday  school  class.  Indeed,  in  religious  knowl- 
edge, the  Chinese  are  only  children.  The  speaker  will  soon 
discover  the  few  who  are  able  or  willing  to  follow  him.  When 
he  sees  that  his  hearers  have  become  inattentive,  he  must  arrest 
attention  by  a  sudden  change  or  some  other  device,  or  he 
will  soon  lose  his  congregation.  The  preacher  in  China  must 
keep  two  objects  before  his  mind.  One  is  to  interest,  and  the 
other  to  instruct  his  hearers. 

During  a  visit  to  T'ien-tsin,  I  bed  a  long  and  interesting 
conversation  with  a  learned  man  fiom  one  of  the  provinces, 
who,  with  more  than  three  hundred  others,  on  their  way  back 
from  the  han-Un  (examinations  at  Pekin),  were  passengers  for 
Shanghai.  This  was  much  later  than  1849,  but  the  conversation 
will  throw  some  light  on  the  state  of  mind  of  an  intelligent 
Chinaman. 

As  the  steamer  lay  at  the  wharf  at  T'ien-tsin,  this  scholar,  a 
man  of  very  commanding  uppearance,  came  to  me  as  I  sat  on 
deck  and  said,  'T  hear  that  there  is  a  great  man  on  board,  one 
who  knows  Chinese  and  everything  else."  I  replied,  in  Chinese, 
''You  must  ha\e  been  wrongly  informed,  as  I  have  never  seen 
such  a  man.  Is  he  a  Chinaman  or  a  foreigner?"  "Oh,"  said 
he,  "he  is  a  foreigner,  and  you  must  be  the  man,  for  I  was 
told  that  he  was  a  long  man  and  that  I  would  find  him  on  the 
poop  deck.  Do  not  be  diffident,  for  I  come  to  be  instructed  by 
you."  "Well,"  I  replied,  "take  a  seat;  if  it  is  in  my  power,  I 
shall  be  too  happy  to  answer  any  question  that  you  may  have 
to  propound." 

He  and  several  of  his  friends  drew  close  to  me  and  he  asked, 
"Why  is  it  that  the  Chinese  cannot  think  out  things  like  you 
foreigners?"  I  said,  "Please  be  more  particular;  what  things  do 
you  mean?"  "Well,"  he  replied,  "here  is  this  steamer  and  her 
perfectly  incomprehensible  engine,  the  telegraph,  machinery  for 
making  cloth,  astronomy,  and  such  like  things;  what  is  it  that 
prevents  us  Chinese  from  thinking  out  such  things?" 

"I   think   I   can  answer  you,"   sai<J   I,   "but  you   will   not  be 


y^.  Yatfs  The  Missionary. 

pleased  with  my  reply.  The  hindering  cause  is  your  IVen-li,  the 
very  instrument  with  which  you  have  been  striving  at  Pekin,  in 
the  hope  of  rising  higher.  This  has  been  the  chief  cause  of  the 
mental  inactivity  which  has  kept  you  Chinese  from  thinking 
out  and  originating  anything  new  for  more  than  two  thousand 
years." 

Surprised,  and  deeply  interested,  he  exclaimed,  "How  can 
that  be?" 

I  continued.  '"God.  who  created  man  in  his  own  image,  en- 
dowed him  with  a  mind  capable  of  discovering  and  compre- 
hending the  laws  of  nature.  We  foreigners,  by  thinking,  by 
analysis,  and  by  combination,  havr;  discovered  some  of  these 
laws.  We  have  learned  how  to  multiply  power  by  the  use  of 
machinery  and  how  to  apply  this  increased  power  to  useful 
purposes.  We  can  send  messages  fifteen  thousand  miles  to  the 
United  States  and  to-morrow  we  ca'i  have  our  answer.  And  we 
have  just  now  commenced,  by  means  of  electricity,  to  talk  with 
each  other,  though  many  miles  apart,  and  to  light  our  houses 
and  streets  brilliantly.  All  this  is  the  result  of  original  thinking; 
and,  believing  that  we  have  just  enteied  on  the  field  of  discovery, 
we  are  constantly  looking  ahead  and  seeking  something  new 
and  useful. 

"But  you  Chinese  are  not  allowed  to  think.  Your  system  of 
education  is  a  bar  to  all  thought  and  originality.  By  it  your 
minds  are  fettered  from  your  youth  up  as  effectually  as  are  the 
feet  of  your  sisters.  From  the  time  you  commence  to  study,  the 
only  duty  that  your  minds  have  beei'.  called  upon  to  perform 
has  been  to  commit  to  memory  the  words  and  thoughts  of 
others.  Your  whole  life — and  you  are  now  fifty  years  old — has 
been  devoted  to  the  endeavor  to  imitate,  in  thought  and  style, 
your  ancient  sage,  Confucius.  Your  ambition  now  prompts  you  to 
seek  the  highest  degree,  that  of  a  han-lin.  In  all  this  you  have 
been  a  mere  copyist,  and  have  looked  backward  more  than  two 
thousand  years  to  your  model.  Hence,  in  the  scale  of  civiliza- 
tion, yuu  Chinese  are  just  where  you  were  two  thousand  years 
ago.  7\nd,  let  me  tell  you,  unless  you  change  your  system  of 
education,  abandon  the  worship  of  ancestors — the  greatest  bar 
to    innovations — and    realize    that   you    have    minds    capable    of 


Yates  The  Mts-tonary.  75 

thinking  as  well  as  other  people,  yon  will  remain  just  as  you 
are,  and  never  rise  above  the  rank  of  imitators." 

The  man  rose  in  an  excited  manner  and  posed  himself  be- 
fore me  and  said,  "Every  word  tha..  you  have  spoken  is  true, 
and  now  I  see  it.  Why  could  I  not  see  it  before?"  I  replied, 
"Because  you  did  not  think,  your  system  did  not  allow  3^ou  to 
think."  "And  can  you  tell  me  how  we  are  to  be  liberated?" 
"Yes,"  said  I,  "if  you  and  your  friends  here  have  the  courage 
to  brook  opposition  and  ridicule.  You  say  ihat  you  see  the 
light.  Each  of  you  can  go  and  convince  your  friends;  they,  in 
turn,  can  convince  their  friends;  thus  you  will  soon  have  a 
community  strong  enough  to  be  independent."  He  thanked  me 
and  retired,  saying,  "We  will  have  more  talk  to-morrow." 

The  next  day  the  boat  was  at  sea  and  I  supposed  that  he  v/as 
seasick,  for  I  did  not  see  him  again  before  we  reached  Che/oo, 
where  I  left  the  boat. 

Ihe  letter  vdiich  follows  was  written  bv  Mrs.  Y'ates. 
and  was  intended  especially  to  interest  clii'ldrL^n.  In  the 
latter  part  of  it,  reference  is  made,  of  coin-se,  (,nlv  to  the 
lower  classes  of  the  Chinese. 

Shanghai.  May  15,  1849. 

The  country  is  almost  a  perfect  level,  and  almost  every  acre 
is  cultivated.  There  are  no  fences  but  each  man's  land  is 
divided  from  his  neighbor's  by  a  lidge  of  earth  a  few  inches 
high  and  about  a  foot  wide.  These  ridges  also  serve  for  foot- 
paths. Those  who  cultivate  the  land  are  poor,  living  in  small, 
low  houses,  built  of  brick  and  having  no  fioor  but  the  ground. 

One  almost  wonders  that  the  word  clean  is  found  in  the 
Chinese  language.  The  beaches  and  tables  in  their  houses  are 
covered  with  an  unsightly  varnish  of  dirt  and  grease.  Nor  does 
It  stop  there;  one  might  literally  scrape  the  dirt  from  the  faces 
and  necks  of  the  inmates.  Their  clothing,  though  swarming 
with  insects,  is  seldom  changed,  an6,  when  washed,  it  is  only 
dabbed  a  little  in  cold  water.  And  then  their  food!  I  speak 
the  truth  when  I  say  that  I  should  prefer  to  eat  what  I  have  seen 
prepared  for  pigs  in  North  Carolina   sc  far  as  cleanliness  goes. 


^6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Shanghai,  July  13.  1849. 
To  Rev.  Thomas  Meredith: 

I  have  suffered  much  froa  partial  paralysis  of  the  optic  nerve, 
and  have  been  threatened  with  eniue  loss  of  my  sight,  but, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  I  am  now  quite  restored. 

During  the  last  six  weeks  there  has  been  an  almost  incessant 
fall  of  rain.  The  crops  in  this  vast  and  fertile  plain  are  all 
from  one  to  six  feet  under  water,  an^'  the  people  are  threatened 
with  famine.  The  mandarins  (of^cials)  have  taken  steps  to  stop 
the  rain.  They  say  that  the  gods  are  enraged  and  that  some- 
thing must  be  done  to  appease  their  wrath.  They  have  repaired 
to  their  great  temples  to  worship  their  gods  of  wood  and  stone; 
but  the  rain  continues  to  fall. 

In  my  ramblings  two  days  ago  I  chanced  to  come  upon  four 
men  who  had  been  called  upon  by  the  priests  to  look  after  the 
comfort  of  three  idols.  These  unsightly  images  had  been  taken 
down  and  placed  on  the  floor,  that  an  exceedingly  thick  coat  of 
mould  might  be  removed  from  theii  royal  faces  as  well  as 
from  their  garments.  A  multitude  of  people  were  at  the  same 
time  in  the  front  part  of  the  temple  woishiping  these  idols,  which 
could  not  protect  themselves  fromi  a  small  leak. 

We  have  reason  to  be  encouraged  in  our  work.  Three  en- 
quirers have  come  before  our  church  and  will  doubtless  receive 
baptism  in  a  little  while.  Our  regulai  services  are  well  attended 
and  the  gospel  is  listened  to  with  apparent  interest. 

One  of  Mr.  Yates'  colleagues  in  China  say  that  dur- 
ing the  famine  referred  to  in  this  letter  and  elsewhere  in 
this  chapter: 

Chinese  merchants  entrusted  hundreds  of  dollars  to  him  to  be 
distributed  according  to  his  judgment,  saying  that  they  dared 
not  trust  the  money  to  their  own  people,  mandarins,  and  relief 
committees,  but  knew  that  Dr.  Yate^  would  do  the  best. 

He  was  a  man  of  affairs  rather  than  of  books.  His  practical 
common  sense  and  business  sagacity  suited  the  practical  Chinese. 

Shanghai,  Septeml)cr.  1849. 
A  little  to  the  north  of  Mr.  Shuclr's  dwelling,  near  a  beautiful 
grove,  is  a  quiet  pond.     On  its  surface,  in  the  early  morning, 


Yates  The  Missionary.  'j'j 

were  reflected  the  shadows  of  the  trees,  as  they  were  gently 
moved  by  the  summer  breeze.  A  little  band  stood  near  this 
pond,  attracting  the  attention  of  'A\  the  passers-by.  Many 
stopped  and  looked  on  in  silent  amazement.  The  pastor  of  the 
little  Baptist  Church  in  Shanghai  went  down  into  the  water  and 
baptized  three  of  their  countrymen.  This  is  the  first  administra- 
tion of  baptism  at  this  great  heathen  city. 

These  three  were  the  first  fruits.  One  of  ihe  candi- 
dates, a  young  man,  was  disowned  by  Ins  family  after  his 
rejection  of  the  gods  of  China.  He  was  encouraged  by 
the  missionaries  to  learn  the  art  of  cutting  blocks  for 
printing  as  a  means  of  support.  Having  become  pro- 
ficient in  this  work,  he  afterwards  rendered  valuable  ser- 
vice to  the  Baptist  and  other  missions  in  Shanghai. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

A    LONG,    STEADY    PULL 185O-1852 AGE    3I-33. 

The  extracts  in  this  chapter  from  Mr.  Yates'  remi- 
niscences and  letters  reveal  the  growing  enthusiasm  and 
untiring  activity  of  the  missionary. 

In  1850  or  185 1,  I  met  in  my  itinerant  work  an  interesting 
man,  a  tea  merchant  from  an  interior  province,  on  his  way  to 
Shanghai.  I  invited  him  to  call  at  my  house  and  to  come  to 
my  church.  Soon  after  my  return  home,  he,  having  sold  his  tea, 
called  at  my  house. 

I  had  repeated  interviews  with  him.  His  frequent  attendance 
at  my  church  showed  that  his  attention  had  been  arrested. 
When  about  to  return  to  his  home  he  called  to  thank  me  for 
my  attentions.  I  presented  him  with  a  copy  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament, in  Chinese,  and  several  tracts. 

My  prayers  followed  that  man.  The  next  year,  when  he  came 
to  Shanghai,  with  his  new  tea,  he  called  on  me  and,  in  an  ex- 
cited state  of  mind,  gave  me  a  history  of  that  New  Testament. 


-8  Yates  The  Missionary. 

He  said  that  his  home  was  in  a  citv  within  an  amphitheatre  of 
lofty  mountains;  that  the  only  means  of  ingress  or  egress  were 
two  natural  tunnels;  that  all  the  tea  produced  within  this  circle 
of  mountains  had  to  l)c  brought  ou:  through  these  tunnels  on 
men's  shoulders;  that  there  was  a  large  population  in  the  cities 
and  towns  within,  who  knew  absolutely  nothing  of  the  outside 
world  except  what  they  got  from  books  and  the  reports  of 
merchants;  that  when,  on  his  return,  be  produced  the  Testament, 
the  i)eople  devoured  it  and  said  that  it  was  a  great  and  good 
book,  and  that  Confucius  must  have  had  access  to  it;  that  in 
order  to  secure  more  copies,  they  had  taken  off  the  binding  and 
distributed  the  leaves  among  many  writers  to  copy,  until  they 
had  sixteen  copies  of  the  whole  Testament,  and  many  copies  of 
portions  of  it;  that  the  book  had  been  introduced  into  their 
schools  as  a  text  book. 

He  said,  moreover,  that  they  had  discovered  from  the  study 
of  the  book  that  there  was  another  and  oldei  volume,  and  that 
they  had  instructed  him  to  oe  sure  to  apply  for  the  other  volume 
of  sacred  classics.  This  I  gave  him  in  two  volumes.  He  urged 
me  to  go  home  with  him  and  preach  to  the  people  of  "the  in- 
side world,"  and  I  was  strongly  inclined  to  do  so,  but  the 
ominous  roar  of  the  thunder  of  civil  war  warned  me  to  wait 
for  more  peaceful  times. 

The  Tai-ping  rebellion  had  broken  out  and  I  sought  to  dis- 
suade my  friend  from  attempting  to  return  until  we  could  have 
definite  information  as  to  whether  he  could  safely  do  so.  But 
though  he  had  a  large  amount  of  silver  with  him  and  feared 
robbers,  he  insisted  on  starling  homi  ward. 

As  he  never  returned,  he  was  probably  robbed  and  murdered, 
or  fell  into  the  hands  of  Rebels.  In  the  confusion  which  ensued 
when  the  Rebels  approached  Shanghai,  I  lost  the  memorandum 
which  he  had  given  me  of  his  name  and  city.  Hence  I  have 
never  been  able  to  follow  up  and  direct  the  work  begun  by  that 
Testament. 

Nearly  fifty  years  have  elapsed  since  that  little  Chinese 
Testament  started  on  its  inland  mission.  That  the  his- 
tory of  its  influence,  direct  or  indirect,  will  e  er  be  dis- 
closed in  this  world  is  highly  improbable.    But  it  is  pleas- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  79 

?nt  to  imagine  that  some  of  the  liarvests  of  winch  we  are 
now  hearing  may  perchance  have  sprung  rrom  seed 
scattered  by  pioneer  planters.  For  we  are  now  told  thai 
last  year  (1896)  twenty  thousand  Chinese  in  a  single 
province  (Fukien)  applied  for  membership  in  evangeli- 
cal Christian  churches. 

In  China,  as  elsewhere,  we  sometimes  meet  a  man  or  woman 
whose  heart  seems  to  have  been  prepared  for  the  reception  of 
divine  truth.  A  year  or  two  later  I  met  a  literary  man  of  note 
from  the  Chinkiang  Province.  Aftei  hearing  me  preach,  he 
came  up  to  me  and  said,  "I  have  long  been  seeking  a  rehgion 
which  would  satisfy  the  cravings  of  my  heart,  give  rest  to  my  dis- 
turbed mind,  and  inspire  me  with  cheerful  hope  for  the  future. 
The  religion  of  Jesus  seems  to  meet  my  case.  Can  you  furnish 
me  with  a  book  which  contains  all  tic  religion  of  Jesus?" 

I  gave  him  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament,  and  he  devoured 
it  day  and  night.  In  a  few  days  he  called  and  informed  me  that 
he  had  read  the  entire  book  and  kneu  its  contents.  I  was  sur- 
prised to  find  that  he  could  repeat  whole  chapters. 

He  heartily  embraced  the  Christian  religion,  having  cast  away 
every  vestige  of  his  old  system,  and,  in  accordance  with  his  wish, 
I  baptized  him.  He  was  full  of  jo>  and  comfort,  and  delighted 
to  dwell  on  the  liberty  of  the  gospel,  saying  that  all  his  life  he 
had  been  in  bondage. 

Some  years  afterwards,  when  the  rebellion  was  over,  I  visited 
his  place,  and  found  that  the  powers  of  darkness  had  compelled 
him  to  hide  his  light  under  a  bushel.  On  his  return  home  he 
began  to  teach  his  new  r-^ligion.  This  gave  such  offense  to 
his  patrons  that  they  threatened  to  withdraw  their  patronage 
unless  he  should  desist.  He  was  a  teacher  of  young  men  who 
were  preparing  for  the  literary  examinations.  As  he  had  no 
other  means  of  supporting  his  family,  he  yielded  to  their  de- 
mands. He  said  to  me  that  it  was  \ield  or  starve,  but  that  his 
own  trust  was  in  Jesus,  and  that  he  should  die  in  the  faith.  I 
have  since  heard  of  his  death. 

No  one  in  a  Christian  land  can  appreciate  the  trials  of  a  lone 
believer  living  in  a  Chinese  heathen  city  twenty-five  years  ago. 
It  is  better  now. 


8o  Yates  The  MissiOxXary. 

During  the  year  1850,  Mr.  Yates  again  suffered  greatly 
Irom  the  condition  of  his  eyes.  He  could  neitiier  study, 
nor  read,  nor  write.  ]jut  his  faithful  wife  read  to  him, 
and  his  letters  for  this  year  were  penned  by  her  hand  at 
his  dictation.  He  was  not  prevented,  however,  from 
oreachinp-  constantly.  And  it  was  a  vear  of  marked 
progress  in  his  knowledge  of  the  language  and  of  the 

people. 

Shanghai,  May  6,  1850. 

Are  there  not  young  men  in  the  Southern  churches  whose 
hearts  glow  with  love  to  the  Saviour  and  melt  with  compassion 
for  the  heathen?  I  would  ask  them  upon  what  grounds  they 
have  decided  that  it  is  not  their  duty  to  consecrate  themselves 
to  this  work.  And  I  would  beseech  them  to  be  certain  that  the 
arguments  with  which  they  have  l:een  hushing  the  voice  of 
conscience  will  stand  the  test  of  the  final  judgment.     Where  is 

,   whom   I   knew  at  Wake   Torest   College,   and  whose 

energy  of  character  is  so  well  suited  to  missionary  life? 

Lord  Jesus,  lover  of  souls,  director  of  spirits,  conqueror  of 
hearts,  choose  thine  own  instruments,  prepare  thine  own 
weapons,  open  to  some  understandings  the  glory  of  this  work 
among  the  heathen,  touch  some  hearts  with  the  invisible  con- 
straints of  thy  dying  love. 

Shanghai,  Nov.  13,  1850. 

From  Mrs.  Yates  to  Rev.  J.  B.  Ta\]or: 

A  week  ago  Mr.  Yates  lett  for  Ningpo,  where,  by  the  advice 
of  our  physician,  he  proposes  to  remain  a  month. 

He  had  become  very  thin  and  weak  and,  so  long  as  he  re- 
mained here,  it  seemed  quite  impossible  for  him  to  refrain  from 
work.  He  was  constantly  restless  and  unhappy  because  he 
could  do  no  more;  but  we  hope  th^J  the  change  of  scene  and 
entire  cessation  from  work  will  restcie  him. 

Shanghai,  Jan.  20,  185 1. 
I  spent  the  day  in  preaching  and  teaching  till  nine  o'clock  at 
night,  when  I  returned  to  my  boat  with  a  heavy  heart,  feeling 
more  sensibly  than  I  had  ever  done  before  the  impotency  of 
an  arm  of  flesh  and  our  utter  dependence  on  the  aid  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  for  success  among  these  people. 


Yates  The  MibSiONARY.  8i 

And  yet  there  is  much  that  is  encouraging.  We  have  free  access 
to  the  people;  our  services  are  well  attended;  our  preaching  is 
heard  with  attention;  the  truths  of  the  gospel  are  being  diffused 
far  and  wide. 

But  the  everlasting  promise  that  Christ  shall  reign  over  all 
the  earth  is  the  missionary's  sure  foundation.  Here  he  rests 
his  hopes,  and  labors  on  with  the  confident  belief  that,  even  if 
not  in  his  day,  Christ  will  reign  in  this  and  every  land. 

Only  let  the  people  of  God  be  united,  active,  faithful,  patient, 
and  of  good  courage,  and  the  cause  must  trhiniph. 

Referring  to  Oo-kah-jach,  the  outstation  of  che  Shang- 
hai mission,  a  visit  to  which  is  now  described  by  Mr. 
Yates,  Rev.  J.  L.  Shuck  wrote: 

The  Foreign  Mission  Board  of  the  Southern  Baptist  Con- 
vention was  the  first  Protestant  Board  in  the  world  who  ever 
held  property  and  gained  a  permanent  footing  in  the  interior 
of  China. 

Shanghai,  March  13,  185 1. 

Last  Sabbath  morning  at  9  o'clock  I  left  Shanghai,  on  foot, 
to  visit  our  out-station.  The  weather  was  fine,  the  roads  in 
good  order,  the  wind  bracing,  and  I  found  it  pleasant  walking. 
The  ferry  boat  over  the  Whampoo  Eiver  was  crowded  with  pas- 
sengers. To  these  I  spoke  of  Christ  and  salvation  during  the 
half  hour  required  for  crossing. 

The  people  all  along  the  way  were  affable,  often  asking  me  to 
stop  and  rest.  At  11  o'clock,  being  somewhat  fatigued,  I 
stopped  in  a  tea  shop  to  rest.  Soon  I  was  surrounded  by  a 
crowd  of  men,  women,  and  children.  They  were  clamorous  for 
books  and  wanted  to  hear  me  preach.  I  told  them  that  if  they 
would  keep  quiet  and  give  me  their  attention,  I  would  preach 
to  them.  They  became  silent  and  i  stood  in  their  midst  and 
preached  to  them  Christ  as  the  Saviour  of  the  world. 

About    12    o'clock    I    reached    Oo-Kah-Jach.      After    a    few 
minutes   of   rest,    I   preached   to   a    good   congregation   in    our 
school  room.     Then  I  took  some  lunch  and  conversed  freely 
for  an  hour  with  those  who  were  coming  and  going. 
6 


S2  Yates  The  Missionary. 

At  2:30  I  left.  On  my  way  home  J  preached  in  four  villages. 
A  little  before  dark  I  found  myself  back  in  Shanghai,  somewhat 
fatigued,  but  much  gratified  with  my  visit,  having  walked  twelve 
or  fourteen  miles,  preached  six  times,  and  distributed  four 
hundred  tracts. 

The  friendliness  and  simplicity  of  the  people  lead  us  to  hope 
that  the  seed  that  we  are  now  sowing  will  bring  forth  a  rich 
harvest.  We  sometimes  make  journeys  of  several  days  into  the 
interior,  by  means  of  the  canals,  v/hich  intersect  the  country 
in  every  possible  direction.  On  arriving  at  a  city  or  a  town, 
we  usually  repair  to  the  principal  temple,  and  there,  standing 
before  the  chief  idol,  we  tell  the  multitudes,  as  Paul  did  the 
men  of  Athens,  of  the  living  God. 

In  the  towns  there  is  an  eager  demand  for  our  books,  but  a 
large  proportion  of  the  country  people  cannot  read.  It  is  a  rare 
thing  to  find  a  woman  who  can  read. 

In  another  letter,  referring  to  this  "eager  demand  for 
our  books,"  Mr.  Yates  wrote: 

So  great  is  the  press  as,  in  our  boats,  we  go  along  the  canals 
around  and  through  the  cities,  that  we  can  only  put  a  tract 
or  a  book  on  the  end  of  a  long  pole  and  hand  it  to  the  people 
on  the  banks.  Thus  we  spread  knowledge,  and  from  our  boats 
we  preach  Jesus.  Often  the  crowd  would  become  so  great  that 
we  have  to  move  ofT  some  distance  to  another  place. 

It  is  truly  a  privilege  to  labor  for  Christ  among  the  heathen. 
I  would  not  change  my  place  for  any  in  the  gift  of  men.  I  am 
thankful  that  I  am  here  and  that  I  can,  to  some  extent,  speak 
the  language  of  the  people. 

The  house  mentioned  below  was  a  substantial  dwelling 
which  had  recently  been  erected  on  land  purchased  for 
the  Mission.  It  was  outside  the  walls  and  within  three 
hundred  feet  of  the  great  north  gate.  On  the  same  lot 
were  another  dwelling,  a  chapel,  and  a  school  house. 
All  these,  though  rebuilt  and  enlarged,  as  will  be  seen  in 
due  time,  are  still  used  by  the  Shanghai  Mission. 

Shanghai,  Sept.  8,  1851. 
I  have  now  a  comfortable  house  imd  am  sure  that  it  will  add 


Sung  Way  Dong  (Baptist  CnuKeii  i^  uAri,i,).  in  kaki.v  50's. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  83 

much  to  my  comfort  and  efficiency   for,   before,   I   was  never 
without  anxiety  for  the  comfort  of  my  family. 

Chinese  have  often  asked  me  why  I  did  not  preach  at  Sung- 
Way-Dong  at  night,  stating  that  thei"  business  would  not  allow 
them  to  attend  in  the  day.  So  I  have  begun  night  services 
twice  a  week,  and  have  large  and  attentive  congregations.  But 
the  work  of^the  Holy  Spirit  is  not  manifested. 

Shanghai,  Oct.  3,  1851. 

I  have  had  an  interview  with  Dr.  Lockhart,  in  which  I  asked 
his  opinion  about  resuming  my  studies.  He  most  positively 
forbade  it,  stating  that,  as  my  physician,  he  could  not  give  his 
consent  that  I  should  engage  in  any  more  hard  study.  He 
added  that  he  was  on  the  eve  of  sending  me  home  last  summer, 
and  that  he  was  certain  that,  if  I  began  hard  study  again,  I 
should  have  to  leave  the  field  in  six  months. 

Then,  in  a  most  flattering  manner,  he  said  that  it  was  acknowl- 
edged by  both  foreigners  and  natives  that  I  had  an  extraordi- 
nary capacity  for  "lingo,"  such  as  no  one  else  in  China  had,  and 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  use  it,  confining  my  whole  attention  to 
preaching.     I  shall  follow  his  advice,  at  least  for  some  time. 

In  alluding  to  this  interview,  I  have  necessarily  been  com- 
pelled to  make  myself  prominent.  Bui  I  could  not  avoid  it  and, 
at  the  same  time,  enable  you  to  understand  my  position. 

On  November  21st,  the  Mission  was  bereaved  bv  the 
death  of  Mrs.  J.  L.  Shuck. 

T^  T?        ^    ^^r    ^  u  Shanghai,  Dec.   18,  1851. 

lo  Rev.   T.   W.   Tobey: 

Our  Mission  has  sustained  a  heavy  loss  by  the  death  of  Sister 
Shuck. 

The  loss  of  a  wife  or  a  fellow-labcier  in  America  is  not  what 
It  IS  m  this  far-oiif  land  of  moral  daikness!  Oh,  the  night •  the 
night! 

This  day,  five  years  ago,  there  were  in  Richmond,  or  expected 
there,  Shuck,  Tobey,  and  I,  with  our  wives,  and  Johnson  and 
James— eight  laborers  for  China.  Now,  where  are  they?  John- 
son, Tobey  and  his  wife  have  been  driven  from  the  field;  James 
and  his  wife  lie  beneath  the   waves;   Shuck  is   crushed' to   the 


84  Yates  The  Missionary. 

earth,   and   his   wife   is   in   her   grave.      My   wife   and    I   are   the 
only  unbroken  family  left  of  that  little  band. 

How  mysterious  are  the  providences  of  God,  and  how  w^ell 
that  we  cannot  know  them,  flow  fortunate  that  we  are  to  live 
by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God. 

Shanghai,   Feb.   5,    1852. 
To   Rev.   T.   W.   Tobey: 

This  forenoon  I  had  a  visit  from  Yaw-sz-ya,  the  assistant  of 
the  magistrate  of  this  district,  flis  intercourse  with  foreigners 
has  been  confined  to  official  inter-^;ews  with  foreign  consuls. 
On  these  occasions,  the  strictest  etiquette  has  been  observed, 
and  he  could  not  conceive  that  any  foreigner  would  meet  and 
converse  with  him  or  other  Chinese  officials  on  friendly  terms. 
My  teacher,  who  is  intimate  with  Km,  assured  him  that  he  was 
entirely  mistaken.  So  he  ventured  to  call  and,  after  no  little 
dispute  as  to  which  should  take  the  seat  of  honor,  I  managed  to 
get  him  seated  in  his  proper  place. 

He  was  quite  affable  and,  as  is  usually  the  case  with  intelli- 
gent Chinese,  very  inquisitive.  During  our  conversation  I  en- 
deavored to  impress  his  mind  with  thr-  importance  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  though,  I  fear,  with  little  success.  When  he  took 
his  leave,  he  appeared  to  hi  much  gratified  with  his  short  visit. 
I  made  myself  as  agreeable  as  I  could,  though  he  knocked  the 
bottom  out  of  his  pipe  two  or  three  times  upon  my  floor.  But 
he  did  not  mean  to  be  impolite. 

February  6. — The  favorable  report  made  by  Mr.  Yaw  of  his 
visit  yesterday  was  the  cause  of  our  having  another  distinguished 
visitor  to-day,  in  the  person  of  the  private  secretary  of  the 
Tautai,  the  highest  officer  in  this  region.  Finding  that  we  were 
not  engaged  in  trade,  he  made  many  inquiries  as  to  the  pur- 
pose of  our  visit  to  China.  I  told  him  that  our  business  was 
to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  this  people.  He  then  asked 
me  what  was  the  object  of  the  gospel.  I  told' him  that  it  was 
to  turn  men  from  wickedness — in  a  word,  to  make  them  good. 
"And  do  you  give  them  money  in  order  to  accomplish  this?" 
said  he.  "No,  we  do  not  give  then,  money;  we  expect  to  ac- 
complish it  by  moral  suasion."  "Ah,"  replied  he,  "we  have 
tried  by  argument  and  beating  to  get  these  people  to  obey  our 


Yates  The  Missionary.  85 

laws.     We  have  tried  in  vain,  and  if  you  do  not  pay  them,  how 
can  you  expect  to  change  them?" 

February  12. — This  is  a  ;?reat  day  witli  the  Chinese,  being  the 
day  on  which  they  send  their  kitchen  gods  to  render  their 
annual  account  to  the  chie-!  of  the  celestial  gods.  On  this  day 
old  Chaw-Cvvin  (made  of  paper)  is  taken  from  his  seat  amid 
the  smoke  and  soot  (and  U^oking  none  the  better  for  it),  and 
placed  on  a  table.  Before  him  are  placed  lighted  candles  and 
dishes  of  delicacies  for  his  refreshment  before  his  exit.  While 
in  this  position,  each  member  of  the  family  bows  before  him. 
begging  him  to  tso-mch  (cover  up).  Lest  he  should  not  comply, 
they  set  before  him  a  peculiar  kind  of  candy,  the  object  of 
which  is  to  cause  his  lips  to  stick  together  and  prevent  him 
from  revealing  the  real  state  of  the  household.  They  also  give 
him  two  kinds  of  fruit,  s2-ko  (yes),  and  peh-ko  (no),  thus  allow- 
ing him,  while  in  the  presence  of  his  majesty,  to  say  only  "yes" 
and  "no." 

All  this  foolery  being  ended,  they  put  him  in  a  paper  sedan, 
well  crammed  with  other  paper,  and  set  fire  to  it.  Thus,  amid 
firing  of  crackers,  he  is  dispatched  in  a  volume  of  smoke.  On 
the  fifteenth  of  their  first  month  (March  7th),  they  procure  a 
new  kitchen  god  for  the  next  year. 

Shanghai,  June  24,  1852. 
To  the  Raleigh  Association: 

I  doubt  not  that  there  are  churches  in  your  body  which, 
though  the  gospel  has  been  faithfully  preached  to  them,  have 
had  no  additions  during  the  past  year.  You  must  not  be  dis- 
couraged, therefore,  to  learn  that  this,  your  distant  branch  or 
member,  has  had  no  additions  this  year  by  baptism  from  among 
the  natives.  And  yet  we  are  encouraged  to  labor  on,  though 
tlie  blessing  be  delayed.  We  shall  certainly  reap,  if  we  faint 
nut.  The  lamented  Judson  labore.J  for  years  in  India  for  his 
first  convert.  Now  there  are  thousands.  When  we  shall  have 
e:  pended  the  same  amount  of  labor,  we  may  expect  like  results. 

Christians  at  home  can  never  conceive  of  the  many  difficulties 
and  discouragements  in  propagatirg  Christianity  among  an 
idolatrous  people.  They  are  degraded  by  superstition  and  op- 
posed from  prejudice  to  all  innovations  upon  the  ancient  cus- 


^6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

toms  of  their  forefathers.  They  reg-ard  a  stranger  from  a  far 
country,  when  he  preaches  ro  them  Christ  and  the  resurrection, 
with  the  same  contempt  which  was  manifested  to  the  apostle 
Paul  by  the  Athenians  when  they  asl'cd,  "What  will  this  babbler 
say?" 

We  are  few  in  number  and,  at  best,  but  feeble  in  body;  but 
we  are  mighty  through  Christ,  who  is  our  strength.  This  world 
is  to  be  converted  to  God  by  missionary  labor.  Then,  brethren, 
be  not  faithless,  but  believing.  Let  us  have  your  prayers  and 
your  aid,  and  send  us  more  men,  iiioj  e  men. 

Shanghai,  Sept.  2yy  1852. 
*To  Rev.  C.  King: 

At  the  time  when  your  letter  was  received,  my  eyes  were  in 
such  a  condition  as  not  to  allow  me  to  do  much  writing.  I 
am  now  blessed  with  good  eyesight 

I  now  find  myself  able  to  preach  ir  Chinese  with  some  fluency. 
But,  alas,  the  people  seem  to  be  given  over  to  hardness  of  heart. 
They  are  chained  by  superstition  anf!  idolatry. 

Yet  there  are  some  encouraging  features  in  our  work.  The 
people  come  in  crowds  to  our  church  to  hear  us  preach.  And, 
be  assured,  brother,  it  is  no  small  pr-vilege  to  preach  the  gospel 
daily  to  hundreds  of  these  heathen  people.     This  privilege,  this 

honor,  is  now  mine. 

Shanghai,  Nov.  24,   1852. 
From  Mrs.  Yates  to  The  Recorder: 

Though  this  is  a  "literary  country,"  we  find  here  no  school 
houses  or  academies.  A  teacher,  wishing  to  open  a  school  and 
having  received  promise  of  patronaj^e,  rents  a  room  or  obtains 
permission  to  use  the  back  room  of  a  temple.  He  occupies  a 
place  therein  on  a  platform.  Before  him  is  a  table  on  which 
are  books,  writing  materials,  the  iridispensable  teapot,  and  a 
ferule  for  lazy  boys.  Over  the  table  is  placed  a  Confucian  tablet 
and  before  it,  at  certain  times,  incense  is  burned.  Each  scholar 
furnishes  his  own  table  and  stool.  There  are  no  fixed  tuition 
fees,  though  it  is  understood  that  the  rich  and  the  advanced 
scholars  are  to  pay  more  than  the  poor  and  the  backward. 


*A  Methodist  minister  in  North  Carolina. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  87 

The  scholars  con  their  tasks  aloud  in  a  singing  tone  and  keep 
their  bodies  in  a  swinging  motion  back  and  forth.  After  a  time 
they  are  called  up,  one  by  one,  to  bay-sJw  (back-book),  which 
means  that  he  must  lay  down  his  book,  turn  his  back  to  it, 
and  repeat  the  lesson.  While  doing  this  he  swings  from  side 
to  side  like  a  clock  pendulum. 

There  is  no  fixed  time  for  recess  or  for  closing.  When  the 
time  for  dinner,  at  his  home,  approaches,  the  scholar  leaves, 
having  saluted,  first  Confucius,  and  tlien  the  teacher. 

Shanghai,  Dec.  21,  1852. 
To  his  Sister: 

How  I  should  like  to  look  in  upon  you  and  Mr.  and 

see  the  antics  of  that  little  missionary  you  have  committed  to 
your  charge.  See  to  it  that  you  bring  him  up  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  And,  next  in  importance,  provide 
for  him  a  good  education.  You  know  not  what  station  he 
is  to  fill  in  the  world.  He  may  be  a  Clay,  or  he  may,  in  the 
providence  of  God,  be  a  Judson,  It  he  cannot  aspire  to  the 
eminence  of  these  great  men,  it  may  be  his  duty  to  become  an 
humble  missionary  among  the  Chinese.  It  is  your  duty  to  pro- 
vide him  with  a  good  education,  and  God  will  assign  him  a  field 

of  labor. 

Shanghai,  Dec.  30,  1852. 

The  labors  of  the  year  1852  have  been  characterized  by  such 
unbroken  sameness  as  to  leave  me  without  striking  incidents 
to  communicate.  The  gospel  has  been  preached  regularly  to 
large  congregations.  Last  Sabbath  we  had  three  services,  at 
each  of  which  there  were  not  less  than  five  hundred  hearers. 
There  is  a  general  spirit  of  inquiry  about  our  religion.  But  it 
is  all  head  work.  There  is  no  heart  work  about  it.  But  we 
know  that  the  mind  must  be  informed  before  the  affections 
can  be  moved. 

Ours  is  pioneer  work.  I  trust  that  the  Board  and  the  churches 
will  not  become  weary  in  waiting  long  for  the  harvest  at 
Shanghai. 


88  Yates  The  Missionary 


CHAPTER   X. 

RELELLION    RECORDS 1853-1856 AGE   34-37 


TRUE  history  of  the  Tai-ping  RebelHon  wil) 
probably  never  be  written.  Affectini.- ,  as  it  did, 
all  parts  of  a  territory  as  large  as  the  United 

States,  arousing  the  passions  of  four  hundred 

million  people,  and  continuing  through  many  years,  it 
has  not  been  equaled  in  its  extent  and  magnitude  in 
modern  times. 

From  a  rising  of  peasants  and  mountaineeris  in  1850, 
the  movement  had  grown  by  1853  to  an  enormous  in- 
surrection of  ungovernable  fury  and  indi:- criminate 
s-laughter,  and  threatened  the  very  existence  of  the  em- 
pire. At  first  a  religious,  it  became  in  time  a  political 
movement.  What  had  begun  as  a  struggle  for  religious 
freedom  degenerated,  first  into  fanaticism,  and  then  into 
aimless  and  destructive  massacre. 

We  have  to  do  here  with  this  war  only  so  far  as  it 
afTected  the  life  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  And  it 
will  be  seen,  as  we  read  his  narrative  and  letters,  that  it 
came  very  close  to  him  and  affected  his  life  most  ma- 
terially. 

I  witnessed  three  cruel  panics  during  the  war.  One  was  in 
midsummer  and  at  midday  The  rebels  were  known  to  be  not 
far  off  and  were  to  be  expected  at  any  time. 

Two  brothers  were  at  work  in  a  rice  field.  About  noon  one 
of  them  called  to  the  other,  "Vanhoiv-tsay'  (rice  is  ready).  A 
neighbor  woman  heard  the  loud  call  and  understood  him  to 
say,  "T'  sa)ig-)iuriK'-hiy-tsay"  (the  long-haired  Rebels  are  coming). 
She  caught  up  her  two  children  and  ran  as  fast  as  she  could 
with  her  cramped  feet  and,  as  she  lan,  she  screamed  for  other 
neighbors  to  hear,  "T'saii;i-maw-lay-tsay."  They,  too,  caught 
up  their  children  and  ran,    naking  the  same  outcry. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  89 

Soon  many  thousands  shared  in  tie  panic.  As  they  rushed 
past  my  place,  many  poor  women  c'.nd  children,  unable  to  go 
further,  came  in  and  filled  my  yard,  while  the  great  throng  went 
on  into  the  city,  the  north  gate  of  which  is  near  my  house. 
In  a  short  time,  the  whole  city,  with  its  hundreds  of  thousands, 
was  in  a  panic.  Many,  seeking  to  cross  the  river  in  over- 
crowded boats,  were  drowned.  The  number  of  lives  lost  as 
the  result  of  this  little  incident  will  never  be  known. 

At  the  taking  of  Soochow,  at  a  later  period,  a  large  number 
of  Imperial  troops  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Rebels  and  were  all 
put  to  the  sword.  More  than  eighty  thousand  of  the  people  of 
Soochow,  rather  than  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  monsters,  as 
they  considered  these  descroyers  ot  temples  and  idols,  took 
their  own  lives.  They  threw  their  children  and  wives  into  the 
canals  in  and  around  the  city.  They  then  jumped  in  after  them, 
and  all  perished  together. 

Dr.  T.  P.  Crawford  and  others  m.c.de  an  attempt  to  reach  the 
rebels  and  found  that  the  broad  canals,  for  a  distance  of  two 
miles  from  the  city,  were  so  choked  with  -dead  bodies  that  a 
boat  could  not  make  its  way  through  them. 

During  these  times  of  trial  we  gained  the  confidence  of  the 
people.  They  seemed  to  think  that  we  knew,  or  ought  to 
know,  whether  or  not  there  was  dangei.  Their  gods  and  priests, 
in  whom  they  had  been  in  the  habit  of  trusting,  were  yielding 
to  the  fiery  ordeal  like  stubble  before  the  flames.  Their  officials 
and  soldiers  were  fleeing  before  the  storm.  They  now  looked 
to  foreigners  for  protection. 

One  man,  during  a  panic,  in  his  fi antic  efforts  to  find  a  place 
of  safety  for  all  the  silver  he  had  (about  two  hundred  dollars), 
threw  it  over  the  wall  into  my  yari  and  continued  his  flight. 
He  simply  had  confidence  that  I  wo«ld  take  care  of  it  for  him. 
His  confidence  was  not  misplaced.  After  the  panic  was  over, 
he  came  and  received  his  money. 

I  have  found,  however,  that  the  men  for  whom  I  did  the 
most  have  shown  the  least  inclination  to  put  their  trust  in  the 
God  of  gods  and  the  Lord  of  lords.  But  there  is  no  doubt 
that  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  idols  and  idolatrous  wor- 
ship received  a  terrible  shock  from  the  indiscriminate  destruc- 


90  Yates  The  Missionary. 

tion  cf  temples  and  their  contents  by  the  Rebel  leaders.  The 
latter  were  the  declared  advocates  ci  the  Christian  religion. 

Though  the  priests  have,  during  the  last  twenty  years,  been 
making  a  feeble  effort  to  commence  rebuilding  some  of  the 
temples,  they  have  been  able  to  do  little  more  in  many  locali- 
ties than  erect  temporary  bmldings  and  place  therein  a  few  idols. 

The  idols  are  paralyzed  and  must  remain  so  for  a  few  gener- 
ations. What  an  opportune  time  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel 
it  we  had  the  men  and  means. 

Before  the  beginning  of  this  rebellion  of  iconoclasts, 
it  was  very  difficult  for  a  foreigner  to  secure  possession 
of  an  idol  that  had  been  worshiped,  even  though  a  large 
price  was  offered  for  it.  Now,  however,  they  were  for 
sale  at  almost  every  curiosity  shop  along  tne  streets, 
and  could  be  bought  for  a  trifle.  Images  as  large  as  men, 
which  had  been  objects  of  the  adoration  of  thousands, 
were  now  common  curios  in  the  homes  of  foreign  mer- 
chants. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Mr.  Yates  sent  from  Shanghai 
to  the  Mission  Rooms  at  Richmond  several  gilded  idols 
of  heroic  stature.  These  uncrowned  and  humiliated  gods 
were  sent,  not  merely  as  curiosities,  nor  yet  as  trophies. 
To  the  mind  of  Mr.  Yates  they  were  dumb  prophets  of 
the  downfall  of  paganism. 

On  September  7th,  1853,  the  city  of  Shanghai  was 
taken  by  the  Rebels.  There  was  almost  no  resistance, 
and  1)ut  little  bloodshed.  In  the  gray  dawn  or  morning, 
r^fr.  ^'atcs  was  a  witness  of  the  rush  of  the  six  hundred 
men  into  the  north  gate.  Of  succeeding  events  he 
wrote : 

I  went  at  once  to  the  Foreign  Concession  and  reported  to  the 
United  States  Minister,  Hon.  Humphrey  Marshall,  that  the 
city  was  in  the  hands  of  a  band  of  Rebels.  Tie  doubted  it  and. 
desiring  to  see  for  himself,  asked  me  to  accompany  him  as  in- 
terpreter. We  found  the  city  in  quiet  possession  of  six  hundred 
men.  There  were  barely  enough  ol  them  to  allow  a  guard  of 
one  man  to  a  street,  but  the  people  stood  in  their  doors  as  if 
petrified. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  91 

Within  a  few  days  many  thousands  of  Rebels  had  gathered, 
and  the  city  was  sacked.  An  enormous  quantity  of  silver  and 
gold  bars  was  collected  at  the  headquarters  of  Lieu,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  Rebels.  The  division  of  this  treasure  ancT 
other  causes  gave  rise  to  a  most  serious  dispute  between  the 
leaders,  each  of  whom  had  a  large  following.  This  produced 
a  state  of  excitement  and  peril  whi(„h  no  pen  can  describe. 

At  this  juncture,  the  American  minister,  fearing  that  harm 
might  befall  the  American  missionaries  who  resided  in  the  city, 
wished  to  send  a  dispatch  to  Lieu  in  regard  to  this  matter.  I 
volunteered  to  take  the  dispatch,  foi  Brother  Crawford  and  his 
wife  were  among  the  residents  within  the  walls. 

I  was  admitted  at  the  north  gate,  and  conducted  to  Lieu's 
headquarters.  To  reach  the  place  I  had  to  pass  through  a 
narrow  alley,  about  four  feet  wide.  In  this  alley  there  were 
three  turns,  each  at  a  right  angle.  A  cannon,  loaded  and  then 
filled  to  the  muzzle  with  brick-bats  was  stationed  at  each  of 
these  angles.  They  were  primed  with  powder  over  and  about 
the  touch  hole.  Two  fellows,  looking  like  ruffians,  were  stand- 
ing by  each  gun,  with  lighted  torcher  in  their  hands,  ready  to 
touch  ofT  the  cannon  at  the  first  appearance  of  an  enemy.  They 
waved  their  torches  at  me  and  demanded  the  object  of  my 
errand.  I  continued  to  advance  with  my  dispatch  in  my  hand, 
for  they,  being  Cantonese,  could  not  talk  much  with  me.  This 
challenge  was  made  at  each  of  the  angles  in  the  alley  for  a  dis- 
tance of  about  one  hundred  yards. 

My  dispatch  to  Lieu  was  my  passport  through  each  of  these 
ordeals.  I  was,  however,  exposed  to  the  greatest  possible  peril 
from  an  accidental  discharge.  The  ruffians  handled  their  torches 
so  carelessly  over  the  cannon,  that  sparks  and  burning  coals 
were  constantly  falling,  and  the  surface  of  powder  exposed  about 
the  touch  hole  was  as  large  as  a  man's  hand. 

On  reaching  the  ante-room,  I  felt  that  truly  I  was  bearding 
the  lion  in  his  den.  There  were  in  the  room  a  score  or  more  of 
ruffians,  all  with  drawn  swords.  They  appeared  to  be  quarrel- 
ing among  themselves  and  at  the  point  of  fighting.  They 
challenged  me.  I  demanded  an  interview  with  Lieu,  at  the 
same  time  showing  my  dispatch.     They  said  that  they  would 


92 


Yates  The  Missionary 


take  it  to  him.  I  said,  *'No,  I  must  deliver  it  in  person  and 
have  some  words  with  him."  An  officer  retired,  and  on  his  re- 
turn conducted  me  to  the  commander-in-chief.  On  my  way  I 
passed  through  a  large  room  filled  with  bars  of  silver  (each 
worth  seventy-two  dollars)  as  a  Southern  corncrib  is  filled  with 
ears  of  corn.  The  pile  extended  to  the  roof  and  allowed  a 
space  at  the  other  side  of  the  room  about  two  feet  wide  through 
which  to  pass. 

I  delivered  my  dispatch  and  received  the  assurance  that  the 
foreigners  in  the  city  should  be  carefully  guarded. 

Having  discharged  the  duty  which  1  had  undertaken,  I  re- 
tired through  the  same  excited  crown  and  dangerous  alley.  It 
was  only  after  I  had  reached  the  street  in  safety  that  I  began 
to  realize  the  great  peril  to  which  I  had  been  exposed.  The  very 
thought  of  it  quickened  my  pace.  My  safe  arrival  at  home  was 
the  occasion  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  God. 

On  the  night  after  this  adventure  Mr.  Yates  wrote  in 
a  letter: 

This  day  of  indescribable  anxiety  has  passed  away  without 
injury  to  my  person  or  property.  And  now  I  am  alone  and 
shut  in  from  the  scene  of  confusion  and  anarchy  which  reigns 
without.  The  curtain  of  night  kindly  excludes  from  my  view 
any  danger  that  may  be  near.  But  God  is  here,  and  why  should 
I  think  of  danger?  And  yet  I  feel  it  difficult  to  be  composed. 
I  will  read  the  fiity-first  Psalm,  and  ask  God.  my  preserver,  to 
prepare  me  for  a  quiet  night's  repose. 

The  story  is  resumed  from  the  reminiscenses: 

The  Taotai,  or  chief  magistrate  of  the  city,  had  been  im- 
])risoned  by  the  Rebels  when  the  city  was  taken.  One  faction 
insisted  that  he  should  be  executed,  and  tlie  other  that  his  life 
should  be  spared.  The  American  minister  sent  a  message  to 
Lieu  that  he  would  protect  the  Taotai,  if  he  should  be  placed 
in  his  charge.  But  Lieu  found  it  impossible  to  get  him  out  of 
the  city  until  two  foreigners  assisted  him  over  the  wall,  dressed 
as  a  common  countryman.  Once  over  the  wall,  he  made  his 
escape  to  the  foreign  settlement  in  a  sedan  chair  borrowed  from 
Mr.   Yates. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  93 

Not  being  able  to  find  the  Taotai.  the  faction  inimical  to  him 
became  frantic  with  rage,  and  reso!v( d  to  attack  the  foreign  set- 
tlement. The  foreigners  were  on  their  guard  at  all  approaches 
through  the  entire  night.  My  servants  all  left  me  and  begged 
me  to  run,  sa3ang  that  it  had  been  resolved  to  take  the  life  of 
every  foreigner. 

My  family  being  on  a  trip  to  the  country,  I  sat  at  a  window 
alone  throughout  the  night.  The  infuriated  mob  more  than  a 
dozen  times  got  up  courage  enough  to  rush  toward  the  foreign 
settlement.  When,  however,  they  came  in  sight  of  the  power- 
ful reflectors,  which  had  been  arranged  so  as  to  reveal  their 
approach,  their  courage  failed,  and  they  withdrew.  The  noise 
and  excitement  were  fearful. 

After  a  few  weeks,  the  Taotai,  havnig  collected  a  force,  sought 
to  retake  the  city.  The  first  attack  was  made  right  at  my 
house. 

First  and  last  I  witnessed  sixty-eight  battles  around  my  house, 
my  premises  being  the  co\'er  under  which  the  Imperials  ap- 
proached to  within  three  hundred  feet  of  the  city  wall.  I  could 
often  hear  the  shot  strike  the  roof  tiies  of  the  houses. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

ON  GUARD  IN  ONE's  OWN  HOUSE 1853-1854 AGE  34-35 

The  personal  adventures  related  below  are  condensed 
irom  Mr.  Yates'  reminiscences. 

The  erection  of  a  battery  three  hundred  yards  west  of  our 
mission  premises  and  the  arrival  of  large  reinforcements  to  the 
besiegers  suggested  that  it  would  no  longer  be  prudent  for  the 
ladies  of  the  Mission  to  remain  in  such  an  exposed  position. 
Brother  Cabaniss'  house  also  was  exposed,  and  he  secured 
rooms  in  the  Episcopal  Mission,  away  from  the  scene  of  danger. 
Mrs.  Yates  and  our  daughter  moved  in  with  them,  while  I 
remained  to  protect,  if  possible,  our  Mission  property. 

Having  surveyed  the  situation,  I  took  steps  to  guard  against 


94 


Yates  The  Missionary. 


danger.  I  did  not  think  that  the  Rebels  would  fire  intentionally 
at  my  windows,  but  I  was  exposed  to  stray  shots.  So  I  made 
barricades  with  mattresses,  and  moved  my  bed  to  what  seemed 
a  perfectly  safe  position.  Then  I  committed  myself  to  God  to 
guard  me  against  unforseen  danger. 

Shot  frequently  crashed  through  the  outer  windows  and 
against  the  wall  at  the  foot  of  my  bed  or  into  the  mattresses. 
But  I  soon  became  accustomed  to  this,  as  one  does  to  the  wash- 
ing of  the  waves  against  the  sides  of  a  ship  at  sea.  I  now  de- 
voted myself  to  the  study  of  the  Janguage,  and  made  good 
progress  during  the  eighteen  months  that  I  was  shut  out  from 
the  rest  of  the  world.  It  was  during  this  period  of  forced  in- 
action in  other  Missionary  work  that  I  rendered  into  the 
Shanghai  dialect  ''The  Two  Friends,"  a  tract  which  has  been 
of  much  service. 

After  many  unsuccessful  assaults  upon  the  walls,  the  Im- 
peralists  set  themselves  in  good  earnest  to  the  task  of  starving 
the  Rebels  out.  To  this  end  they  constructed  between  the  city 
and  the  foreign  settlement  a  wall  fifteen  feet  high.  This  cut 
me  off  from  all  supplies,  i  therefore  demanded  a  gate  in  the 
wall,  which  would  enable  me  to  get  to  market.  As  an  alterna- 
tive, in  case  I  should  be  compelled  by  the  refusal  of  this  re- 
quest to  leave  the  Mission,  I  demanded  a  guarantee  of  indemnity 
for  all  damage  that  might  be  done  to  the  property.  The  com- 
mander-in-chief, knowing  that  the  treaty  guaranteed  such  an 
indemnity,  agreed  to  my  demand.  The  next  day  I  received 
evidence  that  the  indemnity  had  been  paid  into  the  consulate. 
Then,  after  standing  guard  over  my  house  for  sixteen  months, 
a  spectator  of  sixty-eight  battles  and  of  scenes  of  cruelty  and 
horror,  I  had,  with  a  heavy  heart,  to  abandon  my  dear  home. 

As  soon  as  I  vacated  our  premises,  the  Imperialists  took  pos- 
session and  occupied  them  as  a  battery.  The  doors  and  windows 
were  used  as  port  holes,  and  this  drew  the  enemy's  fire.  The 
whole  of  the  wood  work,  the  door;^,  frames,  floors,  was  taken 
out  and  used  for  fuel. 

At  last  the  Rebels  secretly  withdrew  from  the  city,  having 
bribed  enough  of  the  Imperialists  to  render  this  possible.  When 
the   besiegers   heard   that  they   had   left,   they   entered   the   city 


Yates  The  Missionary.  95 

with  great  caution.  Fearing  that  there  might  be  some  trap, 
they  fired  the  city.  It  burned  for  three  days,  and  all  the  most 
valuable  portion  was  destroyed.  During  these  three  days,  the 
Imperialist  army  was  allowed  to  sack  the  city.  The  scene  can- 
not be  described;  it  can  scarcely  be  imagined.  Many,  who  at- 
tempted to  defend  their  property,  were  slain  or  seriously 
wounded.  Strict  search  was  made  for  the  coffins  of  all  the 
Rebels  who  had  died  or  been  killed.  The  corpses  within  them 
were  decapitated  in  order  to  aggravate  the  sufiferings  of  the 
dead  Rebels  in  the  spirit  world. 

Scores  of  millions  of  property  were  destro3^ed,  and  the  ruin  of 
the  city  seemed  complete.  This  was  the  end  of  the  useless  and 
disastrous  local  rebellion  which,  though  contemporaneous,  had 
no  real  connection  with  the  Tai-Ping  movement.  What  re- 
mained of  our  Mission  property  was  returned  to  us.  The  in- 
demnity which  I  had  secured,  by  standing  up  for  my  rights, 
was  sufficient  to  rebuild  the  houses  r.nd  put  them  in  a  habitable 
condition. 

The  question  may  naturally  arise  in  the  minds  of  some,  "Were 
you  not,  from  the  position  of  your  house  under  the  city  wall 
and  at  the  point  of  attack,  exposed  to  imminent  danger?"  Yes, 
I  certainly  was.  But  I  had  looked  to  the  Lord  for  guidance, 
and  it  seemed  to  be  my  duty  to  guard  the  Mission  property. 
I  felt  quite  sure  that,  so  long  as  I  maintained  a  bold  front, 
neither  the  Imperialists  nor  the  Rebels  w^ould  dare  to  molest  me 
personally  or  enter  my  premises  for  the  purpose  of  pillage. 

And  I  was  correct  in  my  estimate  of  the  Chinese  character. 
To  both  parties,  when  they  applied  for  permission  to  enter  my 
house  to  see  if  any  of  their  enemies  were  secreted  therein,  I 
made  the  same  reply,  "Your  enemies  are  thieves;  and  do  you 
suppose  that  I  would  for  any  consideration  allow  one  of  them 
to  enter  my  premises?"  This  answer  was  usually  satisfactory. 

Towards  the  last,  however,  the  Imperialists  became  very  ugly 
and  demonstrative.  On  one  occasion,  two  or  three  hundred 
men  came  unobserved  by  the  Rebels  to  my  back  gate  and 
pounded  so  furiously  that  it  seemed  as  if  they  really  intended 
to  force  their  way  in.  I  w^ent  out  and  demanded  to  know  what 
it  all  meant.     They  called  upon  me  to  open  the  gate,  or  they 


96  Yates  The  Missionary. 

would  force  it.  I  replied  with  all  the  boldness  that  I  could  as- 
sume, "I  shall  not  open  the  gate  to  you,  and  you  dare  not 
iorce  it.  Are  vou  pirates  or  are  you  Imperial  soldiers?  If  you 
are  soldiers,  show  me  your  orders  to  enter  and  search  my 
premises."  Thereupon  a  number  of  matchlocks  were  thrust 
through  my  bamboo  fence  (I  did  not  have  a  wall  at  that  time), 
and  a  fierce  demand  came  from  many  voices  that  the  gate  should 
be  opened. 

At  this  juncture  matters  looked  serious.'  I  saw  that  there  was 
nothing  left  for  me  but  to  assume  a  bold  front  and  charge  them. 
So  I  walked  up  to  the  banipoo  fence,  where  I  could  catch  their 
eyes  and  hold  them,  and  then,  in  an  irnperious  manner,  I  ordered 
them  to  withdraw  their  matchlocks  or  I  would  bend  them 
double.  They  instinctively  obeyed  my  order  and  called  out 
"hi-ya'  (he  is  brave).  I  called  for  the  officer  in  command 
and  reprimanded  him  for  -he  lawless  conduct  of  his  men.  I 
also  assured  him  that,  if  the  ofifense  should  be  repeated  by  his 
men  or  any  other  Imperial  soldiers,  I  would  report  him  to  head- 
quarters. 

Having  cowed  them,  I  at  once  withdrew  to  my  sanctum,  to 
avoid  further  reference  to  the  matter,  for  I  had  exhausted  my 
last  round  of  ammunition.  This  bloodless  victory  was  none  the 
less  real  for  having  been  won  under  circumstances  of  great  peril 
by  digniiied  bravado. 

During  the  numerous  battles  around  my  house  I  was  also  ex- 
posed to  danger  from  stray  shot,  fo"*  it  was  next  to  impossible 
not  to  look  on  during  an  engagement  right  under  my  windows. 
On  the  south  side  and  east  end  of  my  house  there  was  hardly 
a  foot  of  space  that  had  not  received  a  shot  of  some  kind. 

When  the  engagements  were  at  night,  I  remained  quietly  in 
my  barricaded  sanctum  and  listened  to  the  musket  balls  crashing 
through  the  windows  and  rolling  ovet  the  floor  of  the  adjoining 
room.  My  safe  retreat,  not  being  casemated,  was  not  entirely 
proof  against  cannon  shot  or  shell  from  above.  From  this 
quarter  I  did  not  apprehend  any  danger,  as  the  Chinese  batter- 
ies were  on  a  level  with  my  dwelling-house  lot,  and  they  had 
no  shells. 

On  the  morning  that  the  mine  under  the  city  wall  near  the 


Yates  The  Missionary.  97 

Ningpo  Joss  was  sprung,  some  one  in  charge  of  the  battery  a 
few  hundred  yards  west  of  me,  in  attempting  to  put  a  shot 
against  the  North  Gate,  aimed  so  wide  of  the  mark  that  he  put 
it  through  the  roof  of  my  house.  It  pierced  one  of  the  main 
roof  beams  and  then,  faihng  to  bury  itself  into  the  next  beam, 
it  dropped  on  the  ceihng  of  my  room  and  rolled  on  the  laths. 
These  began  to  give  way  under  its  weight.  Seeing  that  it  was 
going  to  drop  on  a  pet  table,  I  jumped  upon  a  chair  and  caught 
it  in  my  hands  as  it  fell.  Thus  I  s.ived  my  table  from  injury. 
It  proved  to  be  a  nine-pound,  wrought-iron  shot.  Like  the 
Irishman's  deck  plug,  it  was  neither  oval,  square,  nor  round. 
This  oblong  shot,  made  by  a  blacksmith,  was  the  only  cannon 
ball  that  penetrated  my  sanctum  during  the  strife. 

Some  shot  from  the  balcery  on  the  west,  after  piercing  the 
vacant  house  of  Mr.  Cabaniss,  dropped  at  the  wall  of  my  house. 
Others  from  the  battery  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  more 
than  a  mile  away,  dropped  at  the  foot  of  my  eastern  wall.  As, 
however,  a  cannon  ball  from  either  the  east  or  the  west  had  to 
pass  through  three  walls  before  it  could  penetrate  my  sanctum, 
except  by  the  roof,  I  felt  quite  secure  while  in  my  room. 

But  outside  of  my  room  there  was  danger  when  the  batteries 
were  in  action.  On  one  occasion  the  Rebels  set  fire  to  the  house 
of  a  Chinese  neighbor,  just  at  my  back  gate.  The  poor  inmates, 
who  were  about  to  suffer  the  loss  of  all  that  they  possessed, 
came  to  us  crying  out,  "Save,  save."  I  rushed  into  the  midst 
of  se\  eral  hundred  Rebels,  who  were  standing  in  the  garden,  to 
see  that  the  house  was  destroyed,  and  promised  them  that,  if 
they  would  extinguish  the  tire  and  dlow  the  family  to  remove 
their  things,  I  would  guarantee  that  the  house  would  be  pulled 
down  within  three  days.  After  this  assurance  from  me,  the  fire 
was  extinguished.  During  the  few  moments  that  I  was  talking 
to  the  Rebels,  they  were  fired  on  by  the  battery  a  little  distance 
west  of  us,  and  the  tw-elve  pound  shot  passed  only  three  feet 
above  my  head.  The  space  between  my  head  and  the  cannon 
ball  was  easily  determined  by  the  mxark  of  the  shot  on  a  tree 
beyond  me.  The  concussion  prostrated  me  as  well  as  many  of 
the  Rebels  who  were  in  the  line  of  the  shot,  but,  apart  from  a 
7 


c8  Yates  The  Missionary. 


y 


severe  fright,  I  sustained  no  injury.  Without  further  warning 
I  retired  to  my  sanctum. 

But  I  accompHshed  my  errand  and  received  the  inmates  of 
the  house,  more  than  twenty  souls  with  all  their  goods,  into 
my  house  and  compound.  These  people  have  remained  stolid 
heathen  to  this  day,  and,  though  they  live  next  door  to  a  Bap- 
tist church,  they  never  attend  a  religious  service.  The  terror- 
ism of  their  false  gods  and  iheir  superstition  keeps  them  away. 

Time  would  fail  me  to  tell  all  the  incidents  of  personal  adven- 
ture and  narrow  escapes.  I  was  shot  at  twice  with  a  rifle  by 
a  foreigner  in  the  service  of  the  Rebels  when  I  was  making  my 
way  to  my  family,  as  I  tried  to  do  once  si  month.  But,  thanks 
to  a  merciful  Providence,  I  was  delivered  from  all  my  perils  and 
still  live — a  monument  of  God's  mercy  and  grace. 

The  many  Chinese  who  looked  to  me  for  help  and  protection 
seemed  to  feel  perfectly  safe  within  my  house  or  in  my  presence. 
They  believed  in  me,  and  trusted  me  in  all  things  except  as  to 
the  way  of  salvation.    They  were  content  with  their  systems. 

The  confidence  with  which  the  Chinese  appealed  t.) 
Air.  Yates  for  all  kinds  of  assistance  is  illustrated  by  an 
incident  which  occurred  during  his  earlier  missionary 
career.  It  is  presented  here  just  as  it  is  related  by  D^-. 
W.  R.  Lambuth,  formerly  a  missionary  in  Shangha-, 
and  now  Secretary  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  of 
the  Methodist  Church  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

A  poor  old  Chinaman  cilled  one  day  upon  Dr.  Yates.  He 
told  his  story  of  poverty  and  hopelessness  in  a  few  words.  It 
seems  that  he  had  no  children,  and  now  in  old  age  he  and  his 
wife,  expecting  shortly  to  die,  had  neither  money  to  pay  funeral 
expenses  nor  children  to  bury  them  when  dead.  He  addressed 
the  doctor  as  follows:  "I  have  known  you  by  reputation  for 
years.  Though  I  am  not  a  Christian  I  have  attended  your 
chapel  services  and  heard  you  preach.  What  is  more,  I  have 
watched  you  day  by  day  for  years,  and  am  convinced  that  among 
all  my  countrymen  there  is  none  more  honest  than  you.  I  have 
perfect  confidence  in  your  word  and  your  honor.  My  old  wife 
and   I   make  an  unusual   request  of  you  to-day.     We   have   no 


Yates  The  Missionary.  99 

money  with  which  to  buy  our  coffins  or  pay  the  expenses  of  our 
burial.  We  ask  you  to  furnish  the  former  and  attend  to  the 
latter  when  we  die." 

The  doctor  was  utterly  nonplussed,  and  at  first  thought  con- 
cluded to  dismiss  the  old  man  and  his  singular  petition  without 
further  consideration.  But  seeing  that  he  was  so  wrought  up 
about  it,  and  at  the  same  time  so  deeply  convinced  of  the  dis- 
interestedness of  the  missionaries.  Dr.  Yates  concluded  to  give 
the  matter  a  little  consideration.  Rl  replied,  "Come  back  to- 
morrow and  I  will  answer."  Upon  consultation  with  Mrs. 
Yates  they  agreed  to  meet  the  expense  required,  and  so  an- 
swered the  old  man  on  the  following  day.  He  was  perfectly 
delighted  when  Dr.  Yates  furnishec  $100  with  which  to  pur- 
chase two  coffins.  Bowing  his  thanks  he  left  the  house,  secured 
coffins  for  himself  and  wife,  and  had  them  deposited  in  his  house 
in  preparation  for  the  time  when  his  wife  and  himself  must 
occupy  them. 

A  few  weeks  after  this  was  attended  to,  the  old  man  returned 
and  requested  another  interview  with  Dr.  Yates.  After  saluta- 
tions had  been  exchanged  he  proceeded  to  draw  from  the  folds 
of  his  girdle  a  greasy  paper.  "This  "  said  he,  presenting  it  to 
the  doctor,  "is  the  title  for  a  little  piece  of  ground  I  own  in 
the  suburbs  of  the  city.  It  is  not  worth  anything,  but  I  have 
nothing  else  in  the  world  to  ofter  you  for  your  kindness."  Dr. 
Yates  refused  the  offer,  but  the  old  man  persistently  urged  him 
to  accept  it.  Not  willing  to  be  ungracious,  he  finally  did  so, 
and  had  the  lot  registered  in  his  name. 

In  due  course  of  time  the  old  couple  died,  and  were  buried 
by  the  doctor  at  an  additional  expense  of  about  $50. 

Years  elapsed,  when  one  day  an  Englishman  in  Shanghai 
called  upon  Dr.  Yates  and  desired  to  purchase  a  piece  of  land 
which  he  owned  in  the  suburbs.  The  doctor  repeatedly  denied 
that  he  owned  a  lot  in  that  quarter  of  the  city.  The  Englishman 
insisted  that  such  a  lot  was  registered  in  his  name.  They  went 
to  the  consulate  to  inspect  the  records,  and  found  it  to  be  the 
case.  It  was  the  lot  given  the  doctor  years  before  by  the  old 
man.  New  streets  had  been  opener  as  the  city  grew  in  size, 
and  the  small  piece  of  ground  had  largely  enhanced  in  value. 


TOO  Yates  The  Missionary. 

It  was  sold  for  about  $i,5'^o,  which  reimbursed  Dr.  Yates  for 
his  initial  expense  and  gave  him  a  balance  of  over  $1,200,  as 
bread  cast  upon  the  waters  which  har'  returned  after  many  days. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

DICTIONARY    MAKING    AMID    DANGERS — 1855-1854 — 

AGE  34-35. 

HE  letters  of  the  solitary  watchman,  having  been 
written  in  the  midst  of  the  struggles  around 
the  mission  premises,  give  even  a  more  vivid 
^_____  a<:count  of  details  than  is  presented  in  the  remi- 
niscences. The  sharp  contrast  between  the  hubbub  and 
slaughter  without,  and  the  calm  man  within,  coolly  work- 
ung  on  a  Chinese  lexicon,  needs  no  comment. 

Slianghai,  January  29,  1853. 
To  Rev.  T.  W.  Tobey: 

The  Rebellion  is  progressing.  Already  three  provinces  have 
been  overrun.  We  are  encouraged  in  our  work  by  the  good 
attendance  on  our  ministry. 

The  ice  this  morning  is  two  inches  thick.  A  few  days  ago 
we  had  deep  snow.  Many  poor  Chinese  are  to  be  seen  dead 
in  the  streets  this  morning.  You  know  something  of  these 
scenes. 

Having  heard  that  there  was  impatience  and  dissatis- 
faction at  home,  because  progress  in  China  was  slow  and 
the  converts  few,  Mr.  Yates  wrote: 

Shanghai,  August  6,  1853. 
Those  who  complain  of  our  want  01  success  should  remember 
that  the  China  Mission  has  been  111  operation  only  about  ten 
years.  The  language  had  to  be  acquired,  the  Bible  translated, 
tracts  prepared,  and  prejudices  overcome.  What  would  farmers 
think  of  a  neighbor  who,  having  prepared  his  soil  and  sowed 
his  seed,  should,  in  the  month  of  June,  sit  down  and  lament  over 


Yates  The  Missionary.  ioi 

his  want  of  success,  with  the  crop  springing  up  all  around  him? 

Would  they  not  say  that  he  was  unreasonable? 

The  churches  have  no  reason  to  be  discouraged,  so  long  as 

the  iNlissionarics  are  encouraged. 

Shanghai,   October  ii,   1853. 

On  tlic  morning  of  October  ist  the  Imperialists  made  a 
desperate  attack  upon  the  Rebels  under  cover  of  our  Mission 
premises.  I  witnessed  the  whole  battle.  The  scene  was  most 
exciting.  My  dwelling  received  eighteen  balls.  We  stay  by 
our  dear  homes  to  keep  them  irom  being  used  as  breastworks, 
and  I  am  willing  to  subject  myself  to  no  little  discomfort  to 
save  the  North  Carolina  Mission  dwelling  from  certain  de- 
struction. I  have  barricaded  one  of  the  least  exposed  rooms, 
and  am   determined  to   stay  by  my  home  till  the  roof  is   shot 

from  over  my  head. 

Shanghai,  November  29,  1853. 
To  his  Parents: 

There  has  been  much  cannonading  to-day  by  both  of  the 
belligerent  parties.  I  can  sit  at  my  table  engaged  with  my 
teacher  and  hear  the  cannon  balls  rush  through  the  air  and 
strike  among  the  houses  in  the  city 

Two  months  have  passed  away  since  I  entered  the  city  to 
preach.  The  city  gates  are  closed  and  barricaded.  Now  that 
I  am  debarred  from  preaching,  I  am  devoting  all  my  time  to 
the  preparation  of  a  dictionary  of  the  spoken  language  of  this 
region.  There  is  no  work  of  this  kind  in  this  dialect;  hence 
I  do  not  see  how  I  can,  under  existing  circumstances,  better 
serve  the  cause  of  missions  rhan  by  preparing  a  work  which  will 
enable  the  new  comer  to  a -.quire  thii  dialect  with  greater  facil- 
ity. It  is  an  arduous  undertaking,  but  I  trust  that  I  shall  be 
able  to  complete  it. 

The  rebels  shot  a  man  to-day  near  the  corner  of  my  lot. 
His  body  is  still  lying  where  it  fell. 

November  30. — I  have  done  a  good  day's  work  on  my  dic- 
tionary of  words  and  phr-ises.  Brother  Cabaniss  called  and 
informed  me  that  wife  and  daughter  are  well. 

December  i. — To-day  the  weather  has  been  fine,  and  I  have 
performed  my  usual  day's  work. 


I02  Yates  The  Missionary, 

The  Imperialists  attacked  the  city  to-day  in  good  earnest, 
both  by  land  and  water.  My  house  was  again  surrounded  by 
fighting  men,  and  the  eighteen-pounder  near  my  house  was  in 
constant  action.  The  scene  was  exciting  till  I  began  to  see  dead 
bodies  carried  off.  Four  w^ere  killed  near  my  house.  I  have 
bought  a  coffin,  and  have  had  buried  the  body  of  the  man  shot 
at  the  corner  of  my  lot  day  before  yesterday.  There  must  be 
gieat  suffering,  perhaps  starvation,  in  the  city;  for  there  are  at 
least  seventy  thousand  souls  in  Shanghai  who  live  to-day  on 
the  labor  of  yesterday. 

December  2. — This  has  been  the  most  fearful  day  that  has 
dawned  since  the  war  commenced  at  Shanghai.  The  attack 
upon  the  Rebels  on  the  w^all  was  begun  at  four  o'clock  this 
morning,  and  it  is  not  yet  ended  (at  9  P.M.).  There  have  been 
hardly  five  minutes  during  the  day  when  my  house  has  not  been 
trembling  from  the  firing  of  cannon  I  have  the  prospect  of  a 
sleepless  night. 

December  3. — The  events  of  to-day  have  been  even  more  san- 
guinary than  those  of  yesterday.  At  daj^break  five  hundred  Reb- 
els sallied  out  of  the  city  gate  and  challenged  the  Imperialists  to  a 
fight  in  the  open  field.  About  fifteen  hundred  Imperialists  came 
out  to  meet  them.  The  engagement  lasted  two  hours.  It  was 
a  burlesque  on  war,  for  no  order  was  observed  by  either  party. 
But  I  saw  many  wounded.     Fifteen.  !  am  told,  were  killed. 

December  5.— The  weather  being  very  cold,  there  has  been 
no  serious  engagement  to-day.  Hence  I  have  been  able  quietly 
to  prosecute  my  labors. 

December  6. — Twice  to-day  there  have  been  sallies  from  the 
city.  I  saw  several  fall.  Among  them  was  a  man  of  mark, 
having  a  white  button  and  feather  in  his  cap.  Many  were 
wounded. 

December  7. — Just  three  months  ago  the  Rebels  took  Shang- 
hai. The  excitement  of  that  day  was  as  nothing  compared  with 
that  of  to-day.  The  air  has  been  vooal  with  the  music  of  cannon 
balls.  The  Imperialists  have  six  hundred  cannons  on  land  and 
water.  From  the  powerful  armament  they  poured  for  hours 
a  storm  of  shot  into  tlie  city.     And  the  Rebel  cannons  on  the 


Yates  The  Missionary.  103 

wall  were  not  idle.  I  have  had  a  good  shaking,  such  as  I  do 
not  care  to  have  again. 

The  thirty-one  pirate  vessels  in  the  employ  of  the  Imperial- 
ists have  this  afternoon  attacked  a  Rebel  battery.  Since  this 
attack,  troops  have  landed  and  have  f  red  the  city  outside  of  the 
walls  in  several  places.  1  have  just  been  (7  P.M.)  to  the 
window.  The  scene  is  awful.  For  three  quarters  of  a  mile  the 
city  is  burning,  and  the  wind  is  higli.  I  can  distinctly  hear  the 
cracking  and  snapping  of  the  burning  timbers.  This  extensive 
suburb  on  the  river,  the  most  wealthy  part  of  Shanghai,  is 
doomed  to  destruction  in  :his  conflagration. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  hubbub  to-day,  I  have  performed 
my  usual  task  of  labor. 

December  8. — Stormy.  Strong  wind  and  rain.  The  fire  con- 
tinued to  burn  all  night.  The  rain  has  now  well  nigh  put  it 
out.  Being  unwell,  I  have  been  unable  to  get  out  to  make  en- 
quiries. The  Chinese  say  that  the  loss  of  life  is  very  great.  I 
have  done  my  usual  amount  of  work  to-day. 

Shanghai,  December  i8,  1853. 

I  have  felt  it  more  necessary  that  these  houses  should  be 
preserved,  because,  if  the  Imperialists  enter  the  city,  our  rented 
dwellings  there  will  probably  be  burned.  In  that  case,  the 
other  families  could  be  crowded  in  with  us  for  a  time. 

While  debarred  from  preaching,  I  devote  my  whole  time  to 
the  preparation  of  a  dictionary  of  the  words  and  phrases  of  the 
spoken  Shanghai  dialect.  The  lack  of  this  has  long  been  felt 
by  all  who  have  attempted  the  study  of  this  dil^cult  language. 

February  28,  1854. 
To  his  Father: 

The  Rebels  still  hold  the  city;  the  Imperial  troops  still  con- 
tinue their  attacks.  My  dear  family  are  two  miles  away.  I,  a 
solitary  watchman,  remain  at  the  North  Carolina  Mission 
House.  I  have  been  just  between  the  contending  parties  in 
forty-two  engagements.  God,  in  his  great  mercy,  has  thus  far 
preserved  me  from  all  harm.  You  are  doubtless  ready  to  ask 
whether  I  am  not  afraid  to  stay  here.  No;  for  you  know  how 
insensible  to  danger  one  becomes  in  war.     But  while  this  state 


104  Yates  The  Misl-ionarv. 

of  things  lasts  we  can  do  nothing  in  the  waj  of  missionary 
work.     Oh,  when  is  it  to  end? 

March  14. — Since  I  wrote  the  above,  things  have  moved  on 
about  as  usual.  There  is  fighting  every  day  or  two.  Cannon 
balls  continue  to  whistle  by  my  door.  One  struck  my  house  a 
few  days  ago,  but  did  not  do  much  damage.  This  kind  of  diver- 
sion has  ceased  to  be  a  novelty. 

This  goes  by  the  ship  Mandarin.  Much  love  to  dear  mother 
and  all  the  family,  white  and  black. 

Shanghai,  May  27,   1854. 
To  Rev.  T.  W.  Tobey: 

The  Imperialists  are  still  besieging  the  city.  We  shall  prob- 
ably have  several  years  of  great  commotions  in  China.  But  we 
know  that  in  the  providence  of  God  it  will  be  for  the  good  of 
this  great  Empire. 

The  commandant  of  the  Rebels  has  issued  two  proclamations 
concerning  idolatry.  He  declares  ir  to  be  the  worship  of  the 
devil.  Though  he  evidently  knows  nothing  of  the  spirit  of 
Christianity,  he  professes  to  be  anxious  to  "eat  the  foreign 
religion."  Our  congregations  are  not  large,  but  the  people 
seem  to  enjoy  having  our  presence  and  sympathy  in  these 
troublous  times, 

I  have  about  half  completed  a  dictionary  of  the  language 
spoken  in  this  part  of  China,  and  hope  to  finish  it  by  the  end 
of  this  3''ear. 

Whether  this  work  was  finished  by  the  end  of  that  year 
is  not  known.  That  it  was  completed,  however,  is  shown 
by  a  reference  to  it  in  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Yates  ex- 
actly five  years  later.  In  this  he  said:  "1  have,  in  four 
hundred  manuscript  pages,  a  dictionary  of  the  Shanghai 
dialect." 

Shanghai,  May  29,  1854. 
As  there  has  been  but  little  fighting  since  April  4th,  we  have 
resumed  our  preaching  services.  The  attendance,  though  not 
so  good  as  formerly,  is  not  to  be  despised.  Some  of  our  con- 
gregations would  make  an  interesting  group  for  a  painter,  con- 
sisting, as  they  do,  of  Rebels,  in   various  costumes,  all  having 


Yates  The  Missionary.  105 

their  weapons,  men,  women,  and  children,  including  the  dis- 
eased, the  blind,  and  beggars.  The  people  appear  pleased  to 
have  us  go  into  the  city,  and,  especially,  to  have  our  sympathy 
in  their  time  of  trouble. 

There  is  abundant  evidence  that  to  the  end  of  his  career 
?Jr.  Yates  gave,  not  merely  his  sympathy,  but  his  help 
m  many  ways  to  his  Chinese  nei^s^hbors.  Dr.  R.  H. 
Graves,  of  Canton,  has  said:  ''His  influence  among  the 
Chinese  was  very  great.  Even  those  heathen  who  re- 
jected his  religion  revered  and  honored  him  as  a  man." 

Shanghai,  July  21,  1854. 
To  Adolphus  G.  Jones,  Esq.: 

I  am  gratified  to  learn  that  the  Raleigh  Association,  in  ap- 
pointing you  as  its  Corresponding  Secretary,  has  taken  another 
step  in  the  right  way.  Had  one  been  appointed  when  I  was 
accepted  as  their  ^Missionary,  I  should  not  have  lived  the  last 
three  years  without  receiving  a  friendly  letter  from  any  member 
of  the  body  except  my  own  kindred.  I  propose  to  write  quar- 
terly. These  letters  may  serve  as  the  basis  of  a  report  to  be 
presented  to  the  body  at  its  annual  meeting. 

The  presence  of  a  large  besieging  army,  rendering  life  in- 
secure, has  very  materially  interfered  with  our  Missionary  labors. 
Up  to  the  twenty-eighth  of  last  September,  when  the  Imperial- 
ists came  to  attack  the  city,  it  was  my  privilege  to  preach  five 
days  in  the  week  to  large  and  encouraging  congregations. 
Since  that  time  I  have  been  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  a 
dictionary  of  the  dialect  of  this  place — a  desideratum  long  and 
seriously  felt.  By  the  end  of  the  year  I  hope  to  have  the  entire 
work  ready  for  the  press.  Should  this  work,  when  completed, 
be  the  means  ot  enabling  future  missionaries  to  learn  this  lan- 
guage with  more  ease  and  greater  accuracy,  I  shall  feel  that  my 
daily  toil,  in  the  midst  of  great  peril,  has  not  been  in  vain  in 

the  Lord. 

Shanghai,  September  28,  1854. 
To  Rev.  J.  J.  James: 

I  am  truly  delighted  to  see  evident  signs  that  the  Baptists  of 
North  Carolina  are  becoming  roused  as  to  the  importance  of 
female  educalion.     This  is  encouraging,  for  a  liberal  policy  in 


io6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

regard  to  the  education  of  females  forms  the  basis  of  all  im- 
provement, religious,  civil,  and  social.  Educate  the  females, 
and  the  education  of  the  other  sex  will  regulate  itself. 

I  conceive  that  female  education  has  the  same  relation  to  the 
education  of  the  other  sex  that  efficient  operations  in  Home 
Missions  have  to  Foreign  Missions.  When  every  nook  and  cor- 
ner of  North  Carolina  and  favored  America  is  visited  and  en- 
livened by  a  pure  gospel,  then  v^e  may  expect  the  corps  of 
foreign  missionaries  to  be  greatly  increased,  and  the  treasury 
of  the  Lord  to  overflow  with  the  first  fruits  of  cheerful  givers. 
Till  then,  the  burden  must  be  borne  by  a  few. 

It  is  truly  lamentable  that  in  many  of  our  churches  and  minis- 
ters there  is  indifference,  not  to  say  direct  opposition,  to 
Foreign  Missions. 

Foreign  Missions  propose  nothing  more  nor  less  than  the 
accomplishment  of  the  design  for  which  the  Saviour  came  into 
the  world. 

Viewing  the  subject  and  the  field  from  this  far-ofT  standpoint, 
and  feeling  deeply  solicitous  for  a  more  enlightened  sentiment, 
and  more  liberal  policy  as  to  missions,  I  conceive  that  the  most 
efifectual  way  to  bring  about  this  change  is  to  educate;  educate 
the  females  and  the  rising  ministry,  and  send  forth  into  every 
district  a  pure  gospel.  The  best  talent  in  the  churches  may 
perhaps  be  more  profitably  employed  in  this  department  of  labor 
than  in  any  other. 


Yates  The  Mis.sionary.  io7 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

/  LMOST    SUPERHUMAN    EFFORTS 1855-1856 aGE    36-37. 


HEN  the  cessation  of  hostilities  at  Shanghai 
allowed  the  resumption  of  regular  missionary 
work,  Mr.  Yates  and  his  colleagues,  as  if  to 
retrieve  the  time  that  had  been  lost,  began 

preaching  and  teaching  with  redoubled  zeal.     The  title 

of  this  chapter  is  justified  by  its  contents. 

Shanghai,  March  6,  1855. 
The  city  of  Shanghai  is  now  a  mere  wreck.  The  Imperialists, 
when  once  within  the  walls,  did  not  stop  their  wanton  destruc- 
tion till  nearly  half  of  the  best  part  of  the  city  was  in  flames. 
The  fire  burned  to  within  one  house  of  the  Baptist  church. 
This  had  been  seriously  damaged  by  shot  and  shell  from  French 

cannon 

Shanghai,  April   11,   1855. 

For  some  days  we  have  been  much  confined  to  our  dwellings 
Sy  the  almost  constant  rain.  The  weather  prevented  me  from 
going  to  my  eleven  o'clock  service  to-day.  This  afternoon, 
though  the  storm  had  not  abated,  I  did  not  feel  satisfied  to  allow 
a  Sabbath  to  pass  without  trying  to  preach  to  some  one.  So. 
drawing  on  my  rain  boots,  I  plodded  for  a  mile  to  the  church. 
The  ringing  of  the  church  bell  called  in  about  twenty.  I  tried 
to  preach  for  a  half  an  hour  or  so,  the  people  coming  in  all 
the  time. 

Having  finished  what  I  must  confess  was  a  very  poor  efifort, 
if  not  a  failure,  I  dismissed  the  congregation.  I  was  greatly 
surprised  to  find  that  not  a  man  rose  from  his  seat  to  leave  the 
place.     You  can  imagine  my  embarrassment. 

Seeing  others  coming  in,  I  resolved,  the  Lord  helping  me, 
to  try  again.  So  I  resumed  my  stand  and  preached  with  ease 
for  an  hour  concerning  Christ  as  the  Saviour  of  men  to  a  large 


io8  Yates  The  Missionary. 

and  apparently  deeply  interested  congregation.     I  felt  that  the 
Lord  was  there  in  our  midst. 

Shanghai,  April  20,  1855. 
Our  Mission  property  will  soon  be  restored  to  its  original 
state.  I  moved  into  my  house  two  months  ago.  Mrs.  Yates' 
school  house  has  been  rebuilt  in  a  more  eligible  position.  Here- 
after, when  we  refer  to  it  as  a  preaching  place,  it  will  be  under 
the  name  of  Kiaw-hwo-dong.  The  Sung-way-dong  will  be 
ready  for  use  again  in  a  few  days.  The  cost  of  all  these  repairs 
will  come  within  the  indemnity  received  from  the  Chinese 
government. 

The  next  letter  is  brief,  but  of  profound  significance 
It  tells  of  the  first  female  ever  baptized  in  China  upon 
a  profession  of  faith  in  Christ,  the  file-leader  of  the  host 
of  Baptist  women,  of  the  thousands  who  are  now  and  of 
the  millions  who  are  yet  to  be  in  the  Empire  of  China. 

Perhaps  it  was  to  be  expected  that  this  event  should 
occur  at  Shanghai  rather  than  at  any  other  of  the  open 
ports.  It  appears  that  here,  more  than  elsevsdiere,  the 
way  was  open  for  carrying  the  gospel  message  to 
females.  Not  long  before  this  time  Mr.  Shuck  had 
written : 

Being  so  long  accustomed  to  female  exclusiveness  in  the 
South  of  China,  I  was  surprised,  on  coming  to  Shanghai,  to 
find  females  everywhere  frequenting  the  shops  and  stores  and 
streets.  We  have  had  as  many  as  fourteen  to  visit  our  house  in 
a  day. 

Shanghai,  June  i,   1855. 

Last  Sabbath  we  received  by  baptism  the  first  female  member 
from  among  the  multitudes  of  this  city.  It  would  have  done 
you  good  to  be  present  and  hear  her  tell  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for  her  soul.  During  my  address  on  this  occasion,  I  saw 
tears  flow  freely  from  the  eyes  of  several  in  the  congregation. 

Shanghai,   June    i,    1855, 
To  his  Parents: 

We  are  just  entering  the  heat  of  summer,  and  we  all  feel  it, 
more  or  less.     I  have  of  late  had  some  indications  of  a  return 


Yates  The  Missionary.  log 

of  my  old  trouble  in  my  head.     I  hope,  however,  that  it  is  only 
temporary. 

You  will  rejoice  to  know  that  the  Lord  is  at  work  in  our 
midst.  Last  Sabbath  we  received  one  by  baptism.  Another 
has  professed.     We  have  now  several  interesting  enquirers. 

T.     ,,      e    r,    T.T       •  Shanghai,  June  26,   1855. 

To  Mr.  S.  P.  Norris: 

As  soon  as  the  city  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Lnperialists  last 
February,  the  authorities  turned  over  to  us  the  wreck  of  our 
Mission.  I  proceeded  at  once  to  restore  my  house  to  its  original 
condition,  and  it  is  now  as  good  as  new.  The  indemnity  of 
$5,000  from  the  Chinese  government  will  restore  all  our  Mission 
property  and  leave  a  small  balance  to  go  into  the  Mission 
treasury.  My  own  personal  loss  by  the  war,  to  say  nothing  of 
my  trouble  and  peril,  is  $100.    This  is  a  dead  loss. 

After  the  fall  of  the  city,  we  renewed  our  attacks  upon  the 
strongholds  of  idolatry.  Many  of  the  temples  have  been  de- 
molished, idols  and  all,  by  the  Rebels.  We  have  been  holding 
seven  services  a  week  to  an  average  attendance  of  about  2,500. 
In  the  midst  of  their  many  troubles,  the  people  listen  to  the 
peaceful  truths  of  the  gospel  with  more  interest  than  they  did 
before  the  war.  And  they  have  had  ocular  demonstration  of  the 
weakness  of  the  gods  on  whom  they  relied,  when  they  saw  the 
idols  thrown  into  the  ditches.  Many  now  seem  to  be,  giving  to 
the  gospel  the  attention  which  its  importance  demands.  We 
have  received  two  into  our  little  church  since  the  fall  of  the  city. 

June  27. — We  moved  back  home  yesterday,  but  it  will  take 
some  days  to  get  things  arranged. 

Shanghai,  September   12,   1855. 
To  his  Sister: 

You  doubtless  think  that  the  life  of  a  Missionary  is  much 
more  adapted  to  the  growth  of  piety  in  the  heart  than  that  of  a 
farmer.  Do  not  think  this.  Every  heart  knows  its  own  sorrows, 
and  every  situation  in  life  has  its  peculiar  trials. 

Just  eight  years  ago  to-day  we  landed  in  Shanghai.  During 
these  years  we  have  seen  much  hard  service.  God  has  been 
very  merciful  to  us. 


no  Yates  The  Missionary. 

If  yours  is  a  house  of  prayer,  you  may  be  a  very  happy  family. 
If  there  is  no  family  altar  there,  your  children,  I  fear,  will  grow 
up  ignorant  of  God  and  the  way  of  salvation.  You  should  not 
depend  upon  the  preacher  to  teach  your  children  the  require- 
ments of  the  gospel  when  they  shall  have  grown  up  to  be  large 
girls  and  boys.  In  youth  is  the  time  to  sow  the  seeds  of  virtue. 
If  the  good  seeds  are  not  sown  in  youth,  the  wicked  one  will 
be  sure  to  sow  the  seeds  of  vice.  It  is  high  time  that  you  had 
realized  the  responsibility  resting  upon  a  mother.  It  is  the 
mother  that  shapes  the  character  of  her  ofifspring.  And  if  she 
fails  to  impart  in  youth  those  lessons  of  truth  which  are  cal- 
culated to  lead  her  child  into  the  ways  of  virtue  and  holiness, 
she  will  have  abundant  reasons  to  regret  it  when  it  will  be  too 
late. 

Allow  me,  my  dear  sister,  to  impress  upon  your  mind  the  im- 
portance of  maternal  influence  and  watchfulness.  We  all  know 
that  the  most  lasting  impressions  upon  our  minds  were  received 
in  our  youth.  Since,  then,  this  is  the  age  for  receiving  the  most 
abiding  impressions,  it  is  the  age  for  imparting  the  most  im- 
portant instructions.  "Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should 
go:  and  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it."  A  child, 
when  he  is  old,  should  go  in  the  ways  of  holiness  and  peace; 
then,  as  soon  as  he  is  able  to  talk  and  understand  you,  teach 
him  the  simple  truths  of  the  gospel,  and  teach  him  verses  of 
Scripture*  He  may  not  know  the  meaning  at  first,  but  the  seed 
sown  in  youth  will  remain  in  the  heart.  Never  let  him  go  to 
bed  without  saying  a  little  prayer.  If  you  have  no  little 
childrens'  prayers,  you  must  make  some. 

Shanghai,  September  12,   1855. 
To  the  Raleigh  Association: 

This  is  the  eighth  anniversary  of  my  arrival.  In  embarking 
in  this  enterprise,  I  gave  myself  wholly  to  the  Lord  to  promote 
his  glory  among  the  heathen.  And  although  it  has  been  my 
lot  to  pass  through  many  hard  trials,  I  have  never  once  regretted 
my  decision.  My  retrospect  of  the  past  fills  me  with  hope  for 
the  future.  It  is  impossible  for  you  to  estimate  results  by  the 
number  of  converts  reported,  or  to  form  a  correct  idea  of  what 
has  been  done.    One  who  settles  in  a  new  country  must  perform 


Yates  The  Missionary.  hi 

much  hard  labor  in  the  way  of  felHng  trees,  building  houses, 
and  clearing  land.  Then,  when  the  brush  wood  is  all  removed, 
the  soil,  matted  with  roots,  must  be  broken  up  before  it  is  in  a 
fit  condition  to  receive  seed.  And  there  must  be  an  outlay  of 
funds  before  the  land  can  begin  to  yield  large  profit. 

So  with  a  Mission  in  its  incipient  state.  And  in  China,  where 
the  devil  has  had  unlimited  sway  for  ages,  there  are  briars  and 
thorns  of  many  centuries'  growth,  and  you  can  readily  see  that 
much  time  must  be  ernployed  in  making  way  for  and  sowing 
the  seed.  Now,  since  the  age  of  miracles  closed,  the  gospel  has 
made  progress  in  proportion  to  the  means  used.  And  when  we 
consider  the  agents  at  work  here  and  the  means  at  their  dis- 
posal, we  are  filled  with  gratitude  to  God  for  the  progress  made. 
We  rejoice  to  know  that  the  seed  we  have  sown  in  a  soil  long 
preoccupied  by  the  most  noxious  weeds  are  beginning  to  spring 
up  and  to  bear  fruit. 

This  is  probably  the  only  stage  in  the  whole  range  of  your 
existence  during  which  it  is  in  your  power  to  glorify  Christ  by 
helping  to  extend  his  kingdom. 

Shanghai,  January  5,   1856. 

The  past  year  has  been  eventful.  In  February,  when  the  city 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Imperialists,  our  North  Gate  Mission 
premises  were  in  ruins,  and  our  chapel  in  the  city  much  injured. 
j\Iy  house  was  built  without  disturbing  the  old  walls.  Brother 
Cabaniss'  house  had  to  be  rebuilt  from  the  foundations.  The 
chapel,  now  known  as  Kiaw-hwo-dong,  has  been  rebuilt  in  a 
more  eligible  location.  Our  chapel  in  the  city  had  to  be  re- 
roofed,  and  twenty  feet  of  the  bell  tower  had  to  be  taken  down. 
All  this  work  has  been  completed  at  a  somewhat  less  cost  than 
the  amount  received  from  the  Chinese  government. 

Shanghai,  January  5,  1856. 
I  do  not  think  that  we  have  been  able  to  do  as  much  effective 
preaching  in  any  previous  year  as  during  1855.  We  now  have 
four  preaching  places,  and  maintain  eighteen  services  a  week, 
with  an  attendance  at  all  of  them  of  about  twenty-five  hundred 
persons.  Besides,  we  hold  many  private  interviews  with  en- 
quirers. Our  business  is  to  sow  the  seed  beside  all  waters,  and 
leave  the  event  with  God. 


112  Yates  The  Missionary. 

You  will  see  that  your  missionaries  are  putting  forth  almost 
superhuman  efforts  to  reach  the  multitudes  with  the  gospel; 
with  what  success,  eternity  alone  will  reveal. 

There  are  five  day  schools  in  connection  with  our  Mission, 
with  an  average  attendance  of  fifty  boys  and  fifty  girls. 

Last  year  we  published  five  thousand  "Epitome  of  the  Bible," 
three  thousand  "Ten  Commandments  with  Commentary,"  and 
three  thousand  "Two  Friends,"  an  admirable  tract.  We  now 
have  in  the  hands  of  the  printer  an  edition  of  five  thousand  oi 
the  "New  Testament." 

During  1855  we  distributed  several  thousands  of  these  pub- 
lications. 

Mr.  Yates  had  good  evidence  that  in  some  cases  the 
books  and  tracts  distributed  brought  forth  good  fruit. 
But  in  after  years  he  became  skeptical  as  to  the  wisdom 
of  indiscriminate  book  and  tract  distribution.  In  1877 
he  wrote: 

We  should  not  be  too  sanguine  of  good  results  from  all  the 
books  we  distribute.  The  people  will  not  destroy  a  Chinese 
book,  but  they  will  sell  them  to  book  scavengers.  These  are 
cmplo>^ed  by  a  class  of  men  who  show  their  reverence  for  the 
Chinese  written  characters  by  collecting  and  burning  all  the 
paper  they  can  find  with  these  characters  printed  on  it. 

For  many  years  it  was  a  marvel  to  me  what  became  of  all 
the  religious  books  distributed  by  missionaries.  I  resolved,  if 
possible,  to  find  out.  In  every  shop  in  a  long  street  I  left  a  tract. 
A  month  or  two  afterwards  I  went  through  that  street  enquiring 
after  my  tracts.  Strange  to  say,  I  could  not  find  a  single  copy. 
Some  said  that  the  books  were  so  good  that  they  had  given  them 
to  their  friends.  I  did  not  believe  it,  for  no  one  could  tell  any- 
thing about  the  contents  of  the  tracts.  My  difficulty  was  not 
solved. 

Some  days  afterwards  a  Chinese  friend  told  me  that,  if  I 
would  go  to  a  certain  small  temple  early  in  the  morning,  I  could 
find  out  what  became  of  our  books,  or  a  large  portion  of  them. 
Soon  after  I  arrived  at  the  temple,  seven  or  eight  coolies  came 
in,  each  bearing  a  sack  of  books  and  printed  paper.     I  emptied 


Yates  The  Missionary.  113 

one  sack  on  the  floor,  and  found  that  it  was  filled  mainly  with 
religious  books  and  tracts  from  most  of  the  Treaty  Ports. 
Among  them  were  some  of  those  which  I  had  distributed,  and 
had  sought  for  in  vain.  I  looked  into  the  other  sacks  and  found 
them  filled  with  similar  material. 

These  books  were  to  be  burned  before  the  idol.  Some  of  the 
ashes  were  to  be  cast  into  the  canals  and  rivers  to  furnish  the 
spirits  of  the  departed  with  reading  matter.  The  remainder, 
mixed  with  oil,  was  to  be  used  to  form  the  paste  of  which  the 
smooth  surfaces  of  lacquered  ware  are  made.  There  is  quite  a 
business  in  the  ashes  of  paper  for  these  two  uses. 

I  am  happy  to  say  that  all  books  are  not  so  treated,  for  indis- 
criminate distribution  has  been  discontinued.  Notwithstanding 
the  many  disappointments,  the  judicious  circulation  of  books 
must  continue  to  be  a  means  of  aggressive  work. 

Shanghai,   May  22,    1856. 

A  party  of  us,  including  Mrs.  Yates  and  Annie,  have  just 
returned  from  a  long  trip  into  the  interior.  We  were  gone 
fifteen  days,  and  travelled  about  four  hundred  miles,  most  of  the 
time  through  the  silk  growing  district.  We  visited  many  towns 
and  cities,  as  well  as  the  mountains.  From  these  we  could 
look  right  out  to  the  sea. 

The  mountain  scenery  and  the  broad  expanse  of  water  beyond 
were  refreshing  to  our  eyes,  after  an  imprisonment  for  nearly 
nine  years.  The  silk  district  is  indeed  a  fine  country,  than 
which  none  is  better  watered.  Canals,  from  ten  to  fifty  yards 
wide,  intersect  the  country  in  every  direction,  at  intervals  of 
from  one,  two,  to  three  miles,  with  something  like  the  regularity 
of  the  streets  of  a  city.  These  public  highways,  the  work  of 
human  hands,  form  the  thoroughfares  of  this  plain.  All  travel- 
ing, whether  for  business  or  pleasure,  is  done  on  water.  These 
canals  answer  to  our  railroads;  they  are,  however,  much  more 
numerous,  and  were  in  successful  operation  a  thousand  years 
before  railroads  were  thought  of. 

Shanghai,  July  30,  1856. 
To  Rev.  T.  W.  Tobey: 

You  can  form  some  idea  of  the  heat  here  when  I  tell  you  that 
8 


114  Yates  The  Missionary. 

we  have  had  no  rain  since  March.  The  crops  in  this  rich  plain 
are  cut  off  by  drought.  I  am  very  feeble,  though  perfectly  well, 
and  am  as  limber  as  you  can  conceive  a  man  to  be. 

The  insurgents  have  regained  this  year  more  than  they  lost 
in  1855.  No  one  can  tell  what  will  be  the  fate  of  this  bigoted 
old  Empire.  I  cannot  see  now,  how  any  good  is  going  to  come 
out  of  the  insurrection.     I  am  a  Rebel  in  feeling,  but  the  Chinese 

have  not  found  it  out. 

Shanghai,  August  29,  1856. 

I  have  not  attempted  to  do  much  preaching  for  the  last  two 

months.      I    am    perfectly   well,    but    have    suffered    from    great 

debility.    A  few  months  ago  I  was  the  victim  of  malaria.    These 

eastern  agues  must  surely  come  from  a  land  of  giants.     They 

give  a  man,  even  of  my  stature,  a  most  awful  shaking. 

Shanghai,  September  6,  1856. 
By  this  mail  I  send  an  article  addressed  to  the  pastors  of  the 
South.  It  is  long,  but  I  cannot  be  short  on  such  a  subject. 
It  has  haunted  me  for  years.  This  much  I  know;  all  your 
efforts  will  be  of  little  value  unless  you  can  instruct  the  pastors 
of  churches.  The  pastors  are  not  interested  themselves,  and 
consequently  they  do  not  try  to  instruct  others.  I  tell  you, 
my  brother,  unless  you  can  rouse  the  ministry  to  a  sense  of  their 
duty  to  a  lost  world,  the  millions  of  heathen  now  living  are  lost. 

During-  the  spring  and  siuiimcr  of  1856,  some  objec- 
tions had  been  raised  by  missionaries  in  the  field  to 
existing  regulations.  The  Board  in  Richmond  invited 
tlie  several  Alissions  to  submit  suggestions  as  to  desir- 
able changes.  The  Shanghai  Mission  agreed  upon  the 
following,  among  other  regulations: 

The  old  plan  of  forming  the  missionaries  at  or  near  the  same 
place  into  a  body  or  "Mission"  for  the  transaction  of  business 
is  hereby  done  away  with,  and  henceforth  each  missionary 
stands,  so  far  as  the  Board  is  concerned,  independent  of  his 
fellow  missionaries,  and  directly  and  individually  responsible  to 
God  and  the  Board  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties. 

The  views  of  Mr.  Yates  in  regard  to  the  whole  matter 


Yates  The  Missionary.  115 

are  given  in  two  letters  which  are  reproduced  here.  No 
evidence  of  subsequent  change  in  the  views  expressed  in 
them  has  been  revealed  in  any  of  the  hundreds  of  letters 
which  have  been  examined  in  the  preparation  of  this 
volume. 

Shanghai,  October  28,  1856. 

I  must  say  to  the  Board  what  I  have  told  my  associates  I 
felt  bound  to  say;  that,  as  I  do  not  feel  any  necessity  for,  and 
cannot  conceive  any  advantage  to  be  derived  from,  the  innova- 
tions proposed.  1  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  advising  the 
change  contemplated;  but  that,  if  the  Board  think  best  to  adopt 
it,  I  will  work  under  it. 

I  must  state,  however,  that  I  believe  the  adoption  of  the 
article  in  question  will  be  the  first  step  towards  the  virtual  sep- 
aration of  Missions  into  as  many  separate  interests  as  there  are 
missionaries.     I  regard  concert  of  action  as  highly  essential. 

Having  labored  under  the  old  regulations  for  nine  years,  and 
with  two  sets  of  missionaries,  I  have  never  known  an  instance 
in  which  any  one  could  say  that  he  was  oppressed  or  restrained 
in  any  enterprise  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel  among  the 
heathen. 

I  have  to  ask  the  Board  to  excuse  me  from  taking  any  further 
part  in  making  regulations  for  our  government.  I  hold  myself 
ready  to  adopt  the  regulations  that  may  be  returned  to  us  by 
the  Board. 

Shanghai,  July  30,  1857. 

I  regretted  very  much  to  learn  from  your  letter  that  the  action 
of  the  Board  upon  regulations  for  the  government  of  their  mis- 
sionaries would  be  deferred  till  after  the  Convention.  The  time 
has  come  when  the  Board  must  act  with  firmness  and  decision 
if  they  wish  to  avoid  the  distractions  of  the  Northern  Board. 
There  must  be  an  acting  Board  or  Mission  abroad,  or  there  is 
no  necessity  for  one  at  home. 

I  conceive  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  adopt  reasonable 
and  equitable  regulations,  and  then  receive  no  missionary  under 
their  patronage  who  will  not  come  under  them;  and  then  to 
retain  no  missionary  who  will  not  cheerfully  work  under  them. 
The  Board  must  govern  their  Missions,  or  they  will  soon  claim 


ii6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

the  right  to  dictate  to  the  Board.  A  single  ambitious  or  re- 
belHous  member  of  a  Mission  can  destroy  the  peace  and 
neutraHze  the  influence  of  that  Mission  as  long  as  he  is  con- 
nected with  it. 

What  I  desire  is  for  the  Board  to  adopt  a  policy  and  main- 
tain it  firmly.  It  will  be  seen  that  I  have  no  selfish  ends  to 
attain  by  these  remarks.  The  Board  may  adopt  a  policy  which 
may  be  as  much  against  my  views  as  those  of  other  people. 

May  you  have  wisdom  from  above! 

Shanghai,   November  6,   1856. 
To  Rev.  W.  T.  Walters: 

Most  assuredly  I  remember  you  a?  an  old  college  mate;  and 
I  am  delighted  to  hear  cheering  intelligence  from  you  as  to  my 
Alma  Mater.  I  rejoice  to  know  of  the  state  of  moral  and  re- 
ligious feeling  among  the  students.  I  look  with  no  little  interest 
upon  the  influence  that  the  young  men  who  go  out  from  the 
college  will  exert  upon  the  churches. 

My  health  has  been  declining  for  some  time,  and  the  Board 
have  invited  me  to  return  to  the  States  to  recruit  my  exhausted 
strength.  But  I  do  not  see  how  I  can  leave  Shanghai,  if  it  can 
be  avoided. 

We  are  comfortably  housed,  and  have  four  places  of  worship, 
than  some  of  which  none  are  more  commodious  or  more  eligibly 
situated.  We  are  all  able  to  preach,  and  are  heard  in  our  daily 
and  Sabbath  services  by  at  least  twenty-five  hundred  persons 
a  week.    Our  day  schools,  six  in  number,  are  well  attended. 

Even  though  we  could  not  report  a  single  conversion,  we 
have  laid  the  foundation  for  a  mighty  superstructure.  And 
this  is  no  mean  part  of  an  important  work. 

Shanghai,  December  31,  1856. 

Would  that  I  were  able  to  report  such  results  as  would  both 
encourage  and  rouse  the  churches;  but  duty  requires  me  to 
speak  the  language  of  history  rather  than  of  fancy  or  enthus- 
iasm. 

We  now  have  two  chapels.  One  of  these,  Sung-way-dong,  is 
in  the  most  thronged  part  of  the  city.  The  other,  Kiaw-hwo- 
dong,   is  near  the   North   Gate   Mission  premises.     These,   in- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  117 

eluding  the  dwellings  and  school  rooms,  are  worth  $20,000. 
We  have,  besides,  two  rented  places. 

We  have  daily  services  during  the  week  and  twice  on  the 
Sabbath  at  Sung-way-dong,  and  at  least  three  times  a  week  at 
each  of  the  other  three  places.  We  preach,  I  suppose,  to  about 
twenty-five  hundred  persons  a  week,  with  what  results,  eternity 
alone  will  reveal.  But  it  would  be  as  unfair  to  estimate  the 
results  of  our  labors  by  our  present  membership,  as  to  estimate 
a  crop  by  the  first  ripening  ears. 

Our  day  schools,  six  in  number,  are  well  attended.  We  shall, 
however,  have  to  wait  some  years  before  we  can  hope  to  see 
much  result  from  this  experiment  in  schools. 

The  man  of  little  faith  who  is  easily  discouraged  by  difficul- 
ties, would  see  but  little  to  encourage  him  in  the  great  struggle 
in  which  we  are  engaged.  But  the  man  who  looks  at  our  work 
through  the  telescope  of  the  promises  of  God  would  see  much 
to  encourage  him  in  our  present  position  at  Shanghai. 

We  have  ascended  the  Hill  Difficulty  (the  language),  and  have 
taken  our  positions  among  the  people.  We  have  been  publish- 
ing the  word  of  reconciliation  to  tens  of  thousands  every  year. 
The  message  of  salvation  is  listened  to  with  attention.  Some 
have  boldly  embraced  Christianity. 

Let  those  who  are  disposed  to  charge  us  with  inefficiency 
or  to  yield  to  despondency,  look  to  the  prophecies,  the  com- 
mands, and  the  promises  of  God's  word.  We  are  assured  that 
we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not.  Hence,  though  we  could  not 
report  a  single  case  of  conversion,  we  are  not  without  encour- 
agement for  persevering  effort. 

We  have  done  the  best  we  could.  We  have  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  a  mighty  superstructure.  This  is  no  mean  part  of  any 
work  of  importance. 

This  last  paragraph  is  one  of  the  most  significant  and 
suggestive  utterances  of  the  great  missionary.  "We 
have  done  the  best  we  could.  We  have  laid  the  founda- 
tions of  a  mighty  superstructure."  The  recurrence  of 
this  sentence  in  two  letters,  written  a  month  apart,  sug- 
gests that  the  idea  was  habitual  and  dominant  in  his 
mind.    Courage,  faith,  patience,  and  hope  are  all  implied 


it8  Yates  The  Missionary. 

by  these  words.  From  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  his 
hfe.  Mr.  Yates'  conviction  that  China  was  to  be  a  part 
of  the  kingdom  of  lieaven  never  faltered.  He  did  his 
best,  hiid  soh'd  foundations,  and  was  content  to  be 
patient  while  waiting  for  results. 

Since  Mr.  Yates'  death,  Rev.  R.  T.  Bryan,  one  of  his 
co-workers,  has  said: 

He  laid  his  foundations  deep  and  broad  in  every  thing.  The 
stone  foundation  of  the  Shanghai  Baptist  Church,  and  the  solid 
instruction  which  he  gave  the  members,  tell  us  of  his  thorough- 
ness. His  thoroughness  was  also  seen  in  his  speaking  knowl- 
edge of  the  Chinese  language.  I  asked  a  very  intelligent 
Chinese  teacher,  a  few  days  ago,  who  was  the  best  speaker  of 
Chinese  among  the  missionaries  in  Shanghai.  He  immediately 
replied  that  Dr.  Yates  was  the  best.  I  said  that  he  was  dead, 
had  died  six  years  ago.  'Yes,"  he  said,  "I  know,  but  he  is  still 
the  best  speaker  of  Chinese." 

And    Rev.    R.   J.   Willingham,    D.D..  has  said: 

As  to  his  methods  of  work  he  wrote:  "We  aim  at  solid  work, 
no  clap-trap,  no  sensational  enterprises  to  write  about.  We 
believe  thoroughly  in  schools;  but,  for  evangelizing  agency,  our 
reliance  is  on  the  law  and  the  gospel.  The  Lord  bless  his  own 
appointed  way." 

His  work  was  to  a  large  extent  that  of  preparation,  opening 
up  the  way  for  others,  laying  broad  foundations  for  future 
workers. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  119 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

IN   WHICH   THE    HERO    IS   WRECKED   AND   STARVED- 
1857-1858— AGE    38-39. 


HE  narrative  in  this  chapter  is  condensed  from 
]\Ir.  Yates'  reminiscences.  The  vigor,  simpHc- 
ity,  and  vividness  of  its  style  remind  one  of 
Defoe  or  Stevenson,   and   afiford   a  hint  as  to 

what  t' 

10  Hterature. 

In  1857  my  health  became  so  much  impaired  that  my  physi- 
cian advised  me  to  leave  Shanghai  for  a  year  in  order  to  re- 
cuperate. I  had  no  disease,  and  yet  I  had  but  little  strength. 
I  know  now  (1881)  what  was  the  matter.  I  was  not  sufficiently 
nourished.  For  ten  years  I  had  been  trying  to  live  on  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  *Spanish  dollars.  And  out  of  that  I  tried 
to  save  a  Httle  for  my  family,  so  that  they  would  not  be  entirely 
destitute  in  case  anything  happened  to  me.  Mrs.  Crawford  and 
our  daughter  were  in  delicate  health,  and  both  needed  a  change. 
Under  these  circumstances  it  seemed  to  be  my  duty  to  leave 
with  my  family  and  Mrs.  Crawford.  Brother  Crawford  remained 
in  charge  of  our  work. 

On  September  ist  we  set  sail  in  the  good  ship  Ariel.  A 
worse  time  could  not  have  been  selected;  but  we  knew  Captain 
Cutler  well,  and  his  ship  could  not  be  detained.  In  passing 
through  the  Chusan  Islands,  after  four  days  of  thick  weather 
and  falling  barometer,  the  captain  became  anxious,  expecting 
the  approach  of  a  typhoon  and  knowing  that  he  was  not  in 
a  favorable  place  to  encounter  it. 

At  noon  of  the  fifth  day,  before  we  were  fairly  clear  of  the 
islands,   our  good  captain  knew  from  the  rapid  falling  of  the 


*The  Spanish  dollar  was  at  this  time  subject  to  a  large  dis- 
count in  China. 


120  Yates  The  Missionary. 

barometer,  the  violence  of  the  wind,  and  the  heavy  seas,  that 
he  was  running  right  into  the  teeth  of  a  typhoon.  The  only 
way  of  escape  from  our  uncomfortable  situation  was  to  put  the 
ship  about  and  run  for  the  islands,  a  distance  of  fifty  or  more 
miles. 

Captain  Cutler  ran  into  the  Chang  San  passage  and  anchored 
under  shelter  of  an  island  several  hundred  feet  high,  with  two 
anchors  down  and  a  hundred  fathoms  of  cable  on  each.  It  was 
thought  that  the  vessel  would  be  able  to  ride  out  any  storm. 

The  darkness  of  the  night  came  on  apparently  before  the  time. 
The  center  of  the  typoon  had  approached  near  enough  to  give 
us  some  idea  of  its  terrible  force.  A  description  is  impossible. 
What  with  the  roar  of  the  waves  and  the  hissing  of  the  wind, 
for  it  had  gotten  beyond  a  howl,  an  awful  buzzing  noise  was 
all  that  could  be  distinguished.  If  there  was  thunder,  it  could 
not  be  heard.  To  sleep  under  such  circumstances  was  an  im- 
possibility. 

Some  time  during  the  night  the  watch  on  deck  called  down 
the  gangway  to  the  captain,  "The  ship  is  drifting  ashore,  sir." 
The  captain  rushed  on  deck,  and  I  followed  to  the  door  of  the 
gangway.  After  a  hasty  survey  of  the  situation,  he  called  out, 
"Call  all  hands  to  save  ship;  all  hands  to  your  axes;  cut  away 
the  weather  rigging."  This  was  soon  done.  Then  came  the 
order,  "Cut  away  the  masts,  fore  and  aft."  When  only  a  few 
blows  had  been  struck  on  the  main  mast,  all  three  of  the  masts 
were  snapped  ofY  by  the  force  of  the  wind  and  fell  clear  of  the 
ship.  It  was  now  found  that  the  ship  had  parted  one  cable, 
and  had  dragged  the  other  nearly  ten  miles  from  where  she  had 
been  anchored.  As  we  rolled  and  pitched  under  the  perpen- 
dicular wall  of  Chang  San  Island,  like  Paul,  we  "longed  for 
the  day."  Our  only  hope  of  safety,  humanly  speaking,  was  in 
the  ship's  one  anchor. 

The  daylight  revealed  that  the  wind  had  veered,  and  now  blew 
down  the  channel,  and  that  the  ship  was  drifting  along  a  rocky 
shore.  It  was  impossible  to  see  more  than  two  ships  lengths 
away.  The  top  of  every  wave  was  taken  off  by  the  violence  of 
the  wind  and  carried  through  the  air  in  sheets  and  thick  mist. 

Suddenly  the  men  lashed  at  the  wheel  called  out,  "A  large 


Yates  The  Missionary.  121 

Singapore  junk  coming  down  right  athwart  our  bow!"  Captain 
Cutler  exclaimed,  "If  she  strikes  us,  it  will  be  all  over  with  us!" 
I  rushed  to  the  gangway  door,  and  there  was  the  junk  in  the 
trough  of  the  sea,  coming  right  against  our  bow.  We  could 
do  nothing  to  get  out  of  the  way;  and  the  men  on  board  of  the 
junk  had  no  control  of  her.  On  she  came,  and,  strange  to  say, 
when  about  a  hundred  feet  from  us,  the  junk,  without  the  help 
of  man.  turned  and  drifted  past  us,  stern  foremost,  missing  us 
about  thirty  feet.  The  men  on  board,  grouped  about  the  stump 
of  the  foremast,  cried  to  us,  "Save,  save,  save!"  But  nothing 
could  be  done  to  save  them.  The  junk  soon  disappeared  in 
thick  mist,  and  doubtless  went  to  pieces  on  the  rocks.  The 
movement  of  this  junk  to  avoid  us  will  forever  remain  a 
mystery.    We  thanked  God  for  that  deliverance. 

That  night  our  good  ship  drifted  directly  toward  a  promon- 
tory which  projected  into  the  channel.  This  discovery,  in  the 
darkness,  and  not  until  we  were  very  close  to  the  perpendicular 
stone  clifif,  filled  all  hearts  with  consternation  and  dismay,  for 
we  were  powerless  to  help  ourselves. 

Captain  Cutler,  seeing  that,  if  the  anchor  did  not  hold  the 
ship,  her  stern,  after  a  few  more  pitches,  would  be  dashed 
against  the  rock  wall,  and  that  sudden  destruction  was  imminent, 
furnished  Mrs.  Crawford,  Mrs.  Yates,  and  myself  with  ropes. 
He  told  us,  if  the  ship  touched  the  rocks,  to  run  on  deck  and 
tie  ourselves  to  some  part  of  the  vessel.  This  was  with  the 
hope,  I  suppose,  that  our  remains  might  be  kept  afloat  and  be 
picked  up  by  some  one. 

The  report  that  the  anchor  was  holding  filled  all  hearts  with 
joy  and  hope.  It  had  probably  caught  upon  a  shelving  rock, 
and  the  cable  was  strong  enough  to  bear  the  strain.  A  man 
with  a  sounding  line  every  few  moments  sung  out,  "Steady, 
sir."     This  report  was  thrilling. 

We  put  our  little  daughter  into  her  berth.  Occasionally  she 
called  out,  "Father,  is  there  no  danger?"  "Go  to  sleep,  my 
child,"  was  all  that  I  could  say.  Soon  she  was  fast  asleep.  Then 
the  two  ladies  and  I  seated  ourselves  on  the  floor  of  the  cabin 
(for  we  could  not  sit  on  chairs  or  benches)  with  the  ropes  in 
our  hands.     We  spent  a  short  time  in  earnest  supplication  for 


T22  Yates  The  Missionary. 

deliverance  from  impending  peril.  And  our  prayers  were  an- 
swered, for  I  then  and  there  felt  that  all  would  be  well.  I  said 
to  Mrs.  Crawford  and  Mrs.  Yates,  "We  shall  have  no  use  for 
these  ropes;  we  are  not  to  perish  here.  I  feel  that  my  work  is 
not  done.  I  have  a  realizing  sense  that  God  in  his  providence 
will  bring  us  safely  out  of  this  great  danger.  Let  us  commit 
ourselves  to  him,  and,  resting  there,  try  to  find  quiet  of  mind." 
One  of  them  said,  "Oh,  I  am  so  glad  to  hear  you  say  that. 
Your  faith  helps  me."  Strange  to  say,  notwithstanding  we  were 
tossed  back  and  forth  over  the  very  jaws  of  death,  we  all,  at 
about  the  same  moment,  fell  into  a  deep  sleep,  and  slept  soundly 
till  long  after  the  day  broke. 

In  the  morning  we  found  ourselves  far  beyond  that  dreaded 
point.  The  wind  had  veered  during  the  night,  and  at  Hood  tide 
the  vessel  swung  away  from  the  stone  wall  and  drew  our  faith- 
ful anchor  from  its  strong  holding  ground.  When  the  ebb  tide 
set  in,  the  Ariel  passed  around  the  dangerous  promontory. 
We  were  now  fast  drifting  out  to  sea,  and  the  wind  was  still 
blowing  half  a  gale.  Early  in  the  afternoon  the  sea  was  open 
before  us  to  the  north  and  east,  but  on  the  south,  within  a  mile 
or  two,  was  a  group  of  small  islands  extending  out  to  sea  about 
five  miles.  This  danger  was  greater  than  the  solid  wall  of 
Chang  San,  for  our  ship  was  drifting  in  their  direction.  The 
danger  was  apparent  to  all. 

Now  was  the  time  for  seamanship.  God  helps  those  who 
help  themselves,  and  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  Shears  were 
made  ready  on  the  forecastle  in  order  that  an  old  top-gallant 
sail  might  be  hoisted  on  them,  when  the  ship  was  turned  around. 
But  to  make  it  turn  seemed  an  impossibility.  The  captain  ran 
out  over  the  stern  a  large  hawser  to  serve  as  a  drag.  At  the 
same  moment  the  anchor  cable  was  let  slip,  for  it  was  not  pos- 
sible to  hoist  the  heavy  anchor  with  its  hundred  fathoms  of 
cable.  It  went  overboard,  never  again  to  be  seen — or  forgotten 
— by  us.  The  ship  gradually  came  round  before  the  wind;  the 
sail  was  raised,  the  hawser  was  cut;  and,  at  last,  just  after  dark, 
without  masts  or  anchor,  but  with  light  and  joyful  hearts,  we 
had  passed  all  danger  from  islands  and  rocks. 

Early  the  next  morning  a  vessel  Vv'as  sighted  far  to  the  lee- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  123 

ward.  Captain  Cutler  hoisted  the  stars  and  stripes  with  the 
stars  down,  as  a  signal  of  distress.  A  gun  was  fired  on  the 
distant  vessel  to  let  us  know  that  our  signal  was  understood, 
and  after  a  few  hours  she  came  to  our  rescue.  With  great  dif^- 
culty  a  boat  was  lowered  to  take  our  party  to  what  proved  to 
be  a  Siamese  vessel. 

Here  was  a  new  sensation.  The  waves  were  so  high  that  when 
our  boat  was  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  we  could  see  neither  of 
the  vessels.  When  we  approached  near  the  Siamese  ship,  and 
saw  how  heavily  she  was  rolling,  the  mate  of  the  Ariel,  who 
was  in  charge  of  our  boat,  said,  "It  is  not  possible  to  board  that 
vessel."  The  boat's  crew  called  him  a  coward,  and  urged  us 
not  to  feel  uneasy.  When  near  enough,  I  hailed  the  captain 
and  asked  if  he  thought  we  could  board  his  ship.  He  thought 
we  could  if  the  men  would  be  very  careful  not  to  allow  the 
boat  to  be  swamped  when  his  vessel  rolled  to.  It  was  a  peril- 
ous undertaking,  especially  for  ladies;  but  Mrs.  Yates  was  calm. 

As  we  approached  the  ship's  side,  I  saw  that  the  rigging  was 
full  of  swarthy  men,  Indiamen  and  Siamese,  whose  counten- 
ances betokened  fixed  determination.  When  alongside,  it  was 
found  that  the  men  in  the  rigging  could  not  reach  our  little 
daughter's  hands.  As  the  ship  rolled  away,  after  this  first  efifort, 
a  stalwart  Indiaman,  who  had  learned  how  by  climbing  cocoa- 
nut  trees,  suspended  himself,  head  downward,  by  his  feet,  with 
which  he  grappled  the  rigging.  When  the  vessel  rolled  to  again, 
he  clasped  the  little  girl's  hands.  I  let  go  and  shut  my  eyes. 
His  companions  hauled  the  man  up  by  the  feet,  and  our 
daughter  was  safe  on  board.  At  the  next  roll  of  the  ship,  two 
men  suspended  in  the  same  way  grasped  Mrs.  Yaies'  hands 
and  arms,  and,  in  a  moment,  when  the  vessel  rolled  back,  she 
was  suspended  thirty  or  forty  feet  in  the  air.  The  men  in  the 
rigging  hauled  these  men  up  by  the  feet  till  they  could  get  hold 
of  Mrs.  Yates'  arms.  Then  they  hauled  her  up  till  she  got  her 
feet  on  the  chain-plate  and  her  hands  on  the  ship's  rail.  There 
she  remained  until  I  got  on  board  and  took  her  over  the  rail. 
When  we  had  all  of  us  gotten  safely  on  board,  we  fell  on  the 
deck  from  sheer  exhaustion. 

Once  on  board,  I  was  able  to  suggest  a  plan  by  which  Mrs. 


124  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Crawford  reached  the  deck  with  comparative  ease  and  comfort. 
We  dipped  the  White  Elephant  fiag  and  sailed  for  Shanghai, 
about  two  hundred  miles  distant,  and  in  ten  days  reached  that 
city.  After  all,  the  Ariel,  with  the  help  of  a  steam  tug,  had 
reached  Shanghai  a  few  hours  before  us,  and  Captain  Cutler 
had  informed  Brother  Crawford  that  our  party  had  been  put 
on  board  a  Siamese  vessel  ten  days  before.  As  it  was  known 
in  Shanghai  that  a  Siamese  vessel  had  been  wrecked  and  all 
hands  lost,  he  was  overcome  with  apprehension  and  grief.  His 
suffering,  however,  was  of  short  duration.  When,  just  after 
dark,  I  gave  a  vigorous  rap  at  his  gate,  he  was  so  overjoyed 
that  (like  the  damsel  who  did  not  open  the  gate  to  Peter), 
though  he  knew  my  voice,  he  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  gate 
to  see  if  his  lost  wife  was  really  there  before  he  opened  to  us. 

After  a  few  weeks  detention,  the  Ariel's  cargo  and  passengers 
were  transferred  to  the  Nabob,  a  large  clipper  ship  which  sailed 
for  New  York  November  17th,  1857.  The  captain  assured  us 
that  she  was  well  provided  with  every  comfort  for  a  company 
of  invalids.  We  found  that  this  was  not  true  long  before  the 
voyage  was  half  over.  For,  before  passing  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  with  two  months  of  our  voyage  yet  before  us,  the  supply 
of  flour,  biscuit,  coffee,  tea,  sugar,  and  salt  had  been  used  up. 
We  asked  the  captain  to  put  in  at  St.  Helena  for  supplies,  but 
he  refused  to  do  so,  having  been  ordered  to  go  direct  to  New 
York.  There  was  a  good  supply  of  dried  apples,  but  living  on 
apple  sauce  three  times  a  day  becomes  monotonous.  Mrs. 
Yates  sufifered  keenly. 

I  resolved  to  try  to  secure  something  fresh  from  the  sea, 
as  fish  seemed  to  be  abundant.  Having  procured  a  piece  of 
southern  pine,  I  made  a  bow  longer  than  any  that  Tell  ever  saw. 
Out  of  a  piece  of  white  oak  I  made  an  arrow  five  feet  long,  and 
as  large  as  my  third  finger.  Among  some  curiosities  which  I 
was  carrying  home  I  happened  to  have  a  Chinese  file,  flat  and 
about  fifteen  inches  long.  This,  ground  to  a  sharp  point  and 
barbed  with  a  cold-chisel,  furnished  a  spike  for  my  arrow.  A 
line  was  made  fast  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  the  spike  end  turn 
up  when  I  hauled  it  in. 

The   second   day   after  all   was   in   working   order,   three   fine 


Yates  The  Missionary.  125 

fish,  three  feet  long,  were  seen  swimming  after  the  ship  not 
more  than  fifteen  feet  from  the  rudder.  With  some  agitation  I 
took  good  aim  at  the  fish  in  the  middle  and  let  fly.  My  arrow 
went  between  two  of  them  that  seemed  to  be  touching  each 
other,  and  I  hauled  in  nothing  but  my  arrow.  Some  one  said, 
"Do  not  be  discouraged;  that  was  a  good  beginning."  But 
not  another  fish  was  seen  during  all  the  rest  of  the  voyage! 

While  walking  on  the  deck  one  bright  moonlight  night,  I 
observed  numbers  of  rats,  almost  as  large  as  squirrels,  racing 
about  the  deck.  The  next  night,  having  prepared  plugs,  and 
having  located,  as  I  supposed,  all  the  holes  from  which  they 
came,  I  stopped  up  all  the  latter.  But  next  morning  not  a  rat 
could  be  found  on  deck.  They  evidently  had  some  back  stair- 
way to  their  dens  below  which  I  could  not  find.  I  had  become 
so  desperate  that  I  would  have  eaten  every  rat  on  board,  but 
no  opportunity  was  offered  for  me  to  try  a  stew  or  a  broil. 

We  all  began  to  look  much  out  of  condition.  But  we  did 
what  we  could  to  keep  cheerful  and  nerve  each  other  to  the 
endurance,  first  of  a  few  more  weeks,  and  then  of  a  few  more 
days. 

When  we  were  told,  one  evening,  that  we  were  only  a  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  from  New  York,  we  rejoiced  beyond  measure 
at  the  certainty  of  a  Fulton  Market  beefsteak  the  next  day. 
Alas!  before  morning  our  vessel  was  grappling  with  a  fierce 
northwest  snow  storm  and  a  strong  gale  which  was  dead  ahead. 
For  eleven  days  we  beat  up  and  down  the  coast.  Deck,  ropes, 
and  sails  were  iced  over,  and  a  third  of  the  sailors  were  too 
badly  frost  bitten  to  leave  their  bunks. 

We  landed  at  last,  but  in  pitiable  plight;  for  we  were  worn 
out  in  mind  and  body.  All,  however,  were  in  a  condition  to 
recuperate,  and  as  soon  as  we  were  able  to  travel,  we  went 
South. 

Missionaries  to  the  far  East  will  in  the  future  never  know 
anything  about  the  four  and  six  months  voyage  around  the 
Cape.  They  will  take  fine  steamers  at  San  Francisco,  live  as 
if  in  a  good  hotel,  and,  within  twenty  days,  be  at  Yokohama, 
only  eight  days  from  Shanghai.  The  way  to  the  hundreds  of 
millions  of  China  has  been  made  straight,  short,  and  easy. 


i26  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Even  more  ''short  and  easy"  has  the  way  been  made 
since  Mr.  Yates  wrote  these  reminiscence^  in  1881. 
Yokohama  can  now  be  reached  in  twelve  days  from 
Vancouver. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

F.IGIITEEX  MONTHS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 

1 858- 1 859— AGE   39-40. 


ORE  than  eleven  years  had  elapsed  since  Mr. 
Yates  had  left  his  native  State.  Of  the  wel- 
come he  received,  of  the  reunions  enjoyed 
of  the  sadness  with  which  he  perceived  the 
gajjs  in  the  ranks  of  his  acquamtanccs,  he  has  left  no 
"reminiscences."  Many  there  doubtless  were  who,  lik.; 
iiis  friend  Rev.  Thomas  Meredith,  were  sadly  missed, 
liut  the  joy  of  meeting  again  his  mother  and  father,  his 
sisters  and  brothers  far  outweighed,  with  so  sunny- 
natured  a  man,  all  depressing  influences. 

1  he  earlier  months  of  his  sojourn  were  spent  with  his 
kindred  in  "the  old  neighborhood,"  with  frequent  visits 
10  Raleigh.  In  May  he  lectured  nightly  for  a  week  in 
that  city  to  crowded  audiences.  Contemporary  accounts 
represent  him  as  "a  pleasant  and  effective  speaker  "  The 
fluency  and  case  of  his  use  of  English  were  mentioned 
as  remarkable  for  one  who  for  so  long  a  time  had  not 
spoken  publicly  in  English. 

Part  of  the  summer  was  spent  in  the  mountains  of 
North  Carolina,  that  lovely  Land  of  the  Sky,  which  was 
then  a  terra  incognita  to  the  outside  world.  7  hat  it  was 
not  altogether  a  pleasure  trip  is  suggested  by  a  letter  to 
Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor. 

Green  Level,  N.  C,  September  27,  1858. 
My  health  is  considerably  improved  by  my  visit  to  the  moun- 
tains of  Tennessee  and  Western  North  Carolina.     Mrs.   Yates 


Yates  The  Missionary.  127 

and  I  were  the  first  foreign  missionaries  ever  seen  in  that  part 
of  the  State,  and  our  presence  created  quite  a  sensation.  I 
lectured  at  Lenoir,  Statesville,  and  other  places.  I  was  also 
present  at  the  Western  Convention  at  Taylorsville. 

He  returned  in  time  to  attend  the  meeting  of  his  own 
old  Association.  Great  crowds  came  from  far  and  near 
to  meet  him,  and  also  to  hear  the  annual  sermon,  which, 
by  special  appointment,  was  preached  by  him. 

Rev.  T.  E.  Skinner,  D.D.,  relates  an  interesting  in- 
cident in  connection  with  this  meeting. 

Some  of  the  members  of  his  old  church  were  criticizing  Mr. 
Yates  for  being  dressed  too  fine.  They  said  that  if  he  had  not 
gone  to  China,  he  would  not  have  been  able  to  dress  any  better 
than  they  did.  Other  brethren  were  greatly  disturbed  by  this 
unbecoming  talk,  and  asked  me  to  say  something  about  it. 
At  first  I  hesitated,  but  finally  concluded  to  allude  to  the  matter. 
This  I  did,  as  delicately  as  I  could,  in  a  speech  on  Foreign 
Missions. 

After  I  took  my  seat,  Mr.  Yates  arose  with  an  almost  heavenly 
smile  on  his  countenance.  He  said  that  he  did  not  dress  ex- 
travagantly; that  nearly  everything  that  he  wore  at  the  time  had 
been  given  to  him  by  Brother  Skinner  and  other  brethren 
eleven  years  before,  when  he  went  to  China. 

The  effect  was  overwhelming.  No  one  could  be  found  who 
would  confess  that  he  had  ever  said  anything  about  Mr.  Yates' 
style  of  dress.  My  only  answer  was  the  playful  remark  that  I 
wished  I  knew  how  to  keep  my  clothing  so  well  that  I  could 
look  as  Yates  did  in  a  suit  of  clothes  eleven  years  old. 

The  letter  which  follows  was  addressed  to  the  churches 
of  his  mother  Association. 

Wake  Co.,  N.  C,  September  28,  1858. 
To  the  Raleigh  Association: 

Allow  me  to  call  your  serious  attention  to  the  action  of  the 
Association  in  1846.  Have  you  forgotten  that  at  that  session 
myself  and  wife  were  unanimously  adopted  as  your  mission- 
aries to  China,  and  that  you  pledged  yourselves  for  our  support? 


128  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Your  moderator,  in  announcing  to  us  this  action,  said:  "You 
and  Sister  Yates  go  down  into  the  well,  and  we  will  hold  the 
rope." 

We,  on  our  part,  entered  into  this  contract  in  good  faith. 
We  left  our  friends  and  native  land  with  little  or  no  expecta- 
tion of  returning.  For  nearly  eleven  years  we  have  labored  in 
that  dark  region,  have  erected  churches  and  dwellings,  and, 
with  the  help  of  our  colleagues,  have  constituted  at  Shanghai 
a  church  of  twenty-six  praying  native  men  and  women.  We 
have  preached  the  gospel  and  circulated  the  Scriptures  among 
millions  in  that  vast  Empire.  This  is  a  small  beginning.  But 
let  us  not  despise  the  day  of  small  things.  The  history  of  mis- 
sions does  not  record  a  more  successful  mission  for  the  same 
length  of  time.  We  have  ample  ground  for  hope  that  the  gospel 
will  ultimately  triumph  in  that  populous  Empire. 

But  have  you  performed  your  part  of  the  contract?  For  a 
few  years  you  acted  nobly.  By  degrees  your  interest  began 
to  decline.  At  the  recent  session  of  the  Association,  I  found,  to 
my  surprise  and  dismay,  that  about  two-thirds  of  the  churches 
had  entirely  let  go  of  the  rope. 

Dear  brethren  and  sisters,  what  is  the  matter?  Are  you 
tired  of  us,  or  do  you  think  that  your  work  is  done?  Now 
we  expect  to  return  to  our  field  of  labor  some  time  next  year, 
if  my  health  is  confirmed.  What  are  we  to  depend  upon?  Is 
the  Raleigh  Association  prepared  to  support  us,  or  shall  we 
look  to  other  associations  and  the  Convention  for  support  and 
sympathy? 

Some  think  that  we  have  done  our  duty  and  ought  not  to 
return.  We  do  not  think  so,  and  the  friends  of  missions  do 
not  think  so.  No,  brethren,  we  are  bound  to  go  back.  Our 
work  is  in  China.  Our  hearts  are  there,  and  to  China  we 
must  go. 

A  few  days  later  he  attended  the  Centennial  of  the 
historic  body  to  which  he  alludes  below. 

Green   Level,   N.   C,   October  7,    1858. 
I  have  just  returned  from  the  one  hundredth  meeting  of  the 
Sandy  Creek  Association.     Not  less  than  five  thousand  people 


Yates  The  Missionary.  120 

were   present.     We   had   a   glorious   meeting.      Our  benevolent 
operations  received  a  powerful  impetus. 

My  health  is  much  improved,  and  I  trust  that  the  approach- 
ing winter  will  restore  it.  Sick  or  well,  I  must  attempt  to  reach 
my  field  of  labor  next  year.  Shall  I  not  have  a  reinforcement 
to  go  with  me? 

At  the  State  Convention  which  met  in  November,  Mr. 
Yates  was  the  central  figure.  Most  of  the  delegates 
looked  for  the  tirst  time  into  the  face  of  their  missionary 
to  China,  whose  name  had  already  become  a  household 
word  in  the  Baptist  homes  of  the  State.  The  business 
o^  the  body  was  suspended  that  lie  might  be  heard  a't 
the  most  favorable  hour.  The  minutes  testity  to  the 
eloquence  with  which  he  spoke.  The  saintly  and  now 
sainted  Wingate  wrote  a  few  days  after  the  body  ad- 
journed: 

Who  of  us  will  forget  the  loved  face  of  our  Brother  Yates, 
as  he  pressed  so  palpably  upon  our  hearts  the  godlike  work 
of  missions,  and  called  so  touchinglj"-  for  men  and  means,  but 
most  of  all  for  men.  I  trust  that  we  shall  all  remember  the 
earnest  words  that  rang  through  all  our  meetings  for  men, 
and  the  melting  prayer  of  our  venerable  Brother  Stradley,  and 
the  tearful,  earnest  faces  of  those  who  bowed  low  around  him 
to  implore  the  God  of  his  people  to  send  forth  laborers  into 
his  harvest. 

In  his  address  to  the  Convention  he  alluded  to  the 
question,  much  mooted  at  the  time,  of  the  wisdom  of 
establishing 

"A  Chinese  Professorship"  in  the  Greenville  (now  Louisville) 
Seminary.  The  object,  as  stated  by  Dr.  Jeter,  was  "to  prepare 
young  men  to  enter  the  foreign  field  qualified  for  immediate 
and  effective  labor."  Dr.  Jeter  had  expressed  his  belief  that 
"the  plan  is  not  only  practicable,  but  eminently  economical." 
Rev.  T.  P.  Crawford  had  written  from  China  that  he  could 
"see  many  powerful  reasons  for  it,"  on  the  score  of  economy, 
health,  time,  and  means. 
9 


130  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Mr.  Yates  wrote  an  article  (November  18,  1858)  which  was 
widely  republished  in  Baptist  newspapers.  The  whole  question 
was  so  ably  and  thoroughly  discussed  therein  that  there  was  a 
general  acquiescence  in  his  conclusions.  The  following  ex- 
tracts will  serve  to  present  his  views,  and,  in  part,  his  reasons 
for  them: 

''The  whole  scheme  is  beautiful  in  theory,  but,  in  my  opinion, 
of  very  doubtful  practicability.  Its  object  is  certainly  very 
desirable.  But  if  brethren  expect  to  accomplish  it  by  placing 
the  candidate  under  a  Chinese  professor  at  the  Seminary,  they 
will,  in  my  opinion,  be  very  sadly  disappointed.  In  my  judg- 
ment, it  is  next  to  an  impossibility,  from  the  very  nature  of 
the  Chinese  spoken  language,  for  any  one  to  be  qualified  in  this 
country  for  efifective  labor  among  the  Chinese.  No  system  can 
be  prepared  which  will  teach  the  student,  in  America,  how  to 
hear  and  imitate  these  nice  shades  of  sound.  The  ear  requires 
no  less  education  than  the  organs  of  speech.  This  can  be  suc- 
cessfully obtained  only  in  China  and  among  the  people.  There 
the  ear,  by  hearing  nothing  else,  more  readily  becomes  ac- 
customed to  the  sounds  of  that  strange  language;  and,  besides, 
the  missionary  is  compelled,  from  the  day  of  his  arrival,  to  use 
the  language  as  fast  as  he  acquires  it.  And,  while  acquiring  the 
language,  he  becomes  acquainted  with  the  character  and  meth- 
ods of  thought  of  the  people,  without  which  knowledge  no  mis- 
sionary can  be  an  efifective  laborer. 

"Again,  if  men  are  to  be  prepared  for  tlie  different  stations 
there  must  be  several  professors.  There  are  mission  stations 
at  Canton,  Amoy,  Foo-Chow,  Ningpo,  and  Shanghai.  A  pro- 
fessor from  any  one  of  these  could  not  prepare  a  man  to  labor 
at  any  of  the  other  points.  Indeed,  the  dialects  spoken  at  these 
several  points  are  so  different  that  a  native  preacher  from  any 
one  of  these  places  cannot  preach  so  as  to  be  understood  at 
any  one  of  the  other  places.  And  this  diversity  of  dialects  ex- 
tends throughout  the  Empire." 

The  winter  was  spent  at  his  father's  honiC;  and  in  an 
extended  tour  through  the  churches  of  Eastern  Carolina. 
A  little  later  he  made  a  trip  to  the  far  South  for  the  two- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  13; 

fold  purpose  of  visiting  relatives  and  awakening  interest 
in  missions. 

Green  Level,  N.  C,  March  28,  1859. 
I  am  just  returning  from  a  visit  to  my  brother  in  Mississippi. 
I  lectured  on  missions  at  many  places.  I  was  sorry  to  find  but 
little  interest  in  missions  as  now  conducted.  I  heard  much 
said  about  the  changes  necessary  to  be  introduced  into  our  mis- 
sionary organizations,  the  best  plans  of  conducting  missions, 
etc.  I  fear  that  the  cause  of  missions  is  to  receive  a  severe 
shock  in  May.  May  the  great  Head  of  the  church  bring  order 
out  of  confusion! 

^  The  reference  here  is  to  the  meeting  of  the  Southern 
Baptist  Convention  in  May,  1859.  ^ov  many  months 
a  widely  circulated  and  ably  edited  paper  had^  been  at 
tacking  the  policy  of  the  Convention  in  managing  its 
mission  work  through  central  boards.  This  meeting 
was  looked  forward  to  by  brethren  in  all  parts  of  the 
South  with  grave  apprehension. 

During  the  four  weeks  preceding  this  meeting,  Mr. 
Yates  published  four  articles,  entitled  "Thoughts  on 
Methods  of  Conducting  Missions."  As  these  papers  arc 
of  more  than  ephemeral  interest,  extracts  are  mserterl 
here.  They  mdicate  in  no  uncertain  tone  the  opinions 
of  a  wise  and  experienced  missionary. 

The  public  discussion  of  the  difificulties  between  the  Boston 
Board  and  their  missionaries  (where  real  difficulties  do  exist) 
has  started  the  enquiry  at  the  South  (where  such  difficulties  do 
not  exist),  whether  radical  changes  are  not  needed  in  our  organ- 
izations. And  this  feeling  is  more  general  than  many  are  in- 
clined to  believe.  This  is  a  matter  that  calls  for  deHberate  and 
prayful  consideration  before  we  act.  It  is  much  easier  to  break 
down  an  organization  than  to  organize  a  better  one. 

As  I  have  been  a  missionary  for  eleven  years  under  our  present 
system,  I  may  be  excused  for  giving  my  views  of  the  relative 
merits  of  the  different  plans  proposed. 

Are  there  any  difficulties  existing  between  our  missionaries 
and  the  Board  at  Richmond?    /  know  of  none.     Has  the  Board 


132  Yates  The  Missionary. 

ever  been  in  the  habit  of  exercising  undue  authority  over  their 
fellow  laborers  in  the  foreign  field?  This  charge  has  never, 
to  my  knowledge,  been  preferred  against  them  by  their  mis- 
sionaries, who  have  the  best  means  of  knowing.  The  relations 
which  have  existed  between  them  and  the  Board  have  been  of 
a  most  fraternal  character.  The  Board  has  uniformly  occupied 
towards  the  Missions  the  position  of  an  advisory  council.  And 
while  they  have  given  their  advice  in  regard  to  matters  of  a 
general  nature,  they  have  ever  acted  on  the  principle  that  mis- 
sionaries on  the  ground  knew  best  how  to  manage  the  details 
of  missionary  work.  As  almoners  of  the  churches,  they  re- 
quire us  to  render  a  faithful  account  of  all  the  money  received 
by  us  for  mission  purposes.  Could  they  do  less  without  for- 
feiting the  confidence  of  the  churches? 

The  Board  has  been  censured  for  requiring  a  candidate  to 
appear  before  them  for  examination  before  he  can  receive 
the  appointment,  thereby  throwing  discredit  upon  the  associa- 
tion or  church  that  ordained  him,  by  arrogating  to  themselves 
a  higher  degree  of  ecclesiastical  authority  than  is  known  among 
Baptists. 

Now  we  should  bear  in  mind  that  the  Convention,  in  com- 
mitting to  a  Board  this  department  of  their  benevolent  opera- 
tions, have  imposed  upon  a  few  men  a  weighty  responsibility. 
We  should  remember,  too,  that  when  men  from  a  distance  (and 
nine  out  of  ten  are  strangers)  apply  for  appointment,  the  Board 
have  no  other  adequate  means  of  ascertaining  their  qualifica- 
tions than  by  a  personal  examination.  Even  by  this  means, 
they  cannot  always  tell  who  will  or  will  not  make  a  good  mis- 
sionary. If,  with  all  their  superior  advantages  for  acquiring 
information,  a  Mission  Board  is  sometimes  disappointed,  what 
might  we  not  expect  if  they  were  required  to  appoint  all  who 
applied  on  the  recommendation  of  their  chi-rches?  And  since 
the  Board  would  be  blamed  for  all  the  failure  and  expense 
resulting  from  injudicious  appointments,  they  cannot  be  too 
careful  or  too  well  acquainted  with  the  men  whom  they  send 
abroad. 

The  change  proposed  is  to  abandon  conventions  and  all 
general  and  centralizing  organizations  and  throw  the  work  of 


Yates  The  Missionary.  133 

evangelizing  the  world  upon  associations  or  individual  churches. 
The  object  aimed  at  is  to  get  rid  of  cumbrous  machinery  and 
the  concentration  of  so  much  power  in  the  hands  of  a  few  in- 
dividuals. 

Now,  in  considering  the  changes  proposed,  let  us  not  allow 
ourselves  to  be  influenced  by  side  issues,  but  let  us  keep  in 
view  the  end  to  be  attained — the  conversion  of  the  world.  To 
have  any  other  end  in  view,  in  seeking  to  break  up  our  present 
plans  of  operations,  is  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  wicked 
one. 

I  object  to  change,  first,  because  it  will  deprive  missionaries 
of  the  benefits  of  concentration  of  labor.  In  the  present  state 
of  our  missions  to  China,  nothing  is  more  important  for  the 
permanence  of  the  work. 

Let  me  write  the  history  of  a  mission  undertaken  on  the  plan 
proposed.  Few  churches,  or  even  associations,  would  be  able 
to  keep  on  the  field  more  than  one  missionary  family.  The 
expense  of  reaching  China,  the  cost  or  rent  of  a  house,  the 
salary  of  a  teacher,  and  some  incidentals,  must  necessarily  be 
paid.  If  the  missionary  be  blessed  with  health,  and  has  tact 
in  the  acquisition  of  language,  he  may  be  able  to  preach  after 
a  residence  of  two  or  three  years.  He  then  locates  a  mission  in 
one  of  the  great  cities  of  China  and  commences  alone,  without 
the  counsel  or  sympathy  of  others,  his  arduous  work.  He  labors 
faithfully  three  or  four  years,  and  this,  with  the  time  given  to 
the  study  of  the  language,  is  more  than  the  average  term  of 
service  of  missionaries  in  China.  He  may  have  been  very  suc- 
cessful, but  sickness  or  death  forces  him  to  leave  this  interest- 
ing but  immature  work. 

The  church  or  association  now  bestirs  itself  to  find  another 
man  to  occupy  its  vacated  mission.  In  the  course  of  one,  two. 
or  three  years,  the  man  is  found;  but  on  reaching  the  field  he 
finds  no  traces  of  a  former  occupant  except  a  dwelling  and 
preaching  place.  He  labors  under  the  same  disadvantages  that 
his  predecessor  did,  with  perhaps  more  or  less  success;  then 
he  too  is  forced  to  leave  the  field.  And  so  Hkewise  with  a 
third  or  fourth.  Thus  years  may  pass,  thousands  of  dollars  be 
expended,  and  valuable  lives  be  sacrified  without  making  any 


134  Yates  The  Missionary. 

permanent  impression.     Now  this  failure  is  not  to  be  attributed 
to  the  men  employed,  but  to  the  plan  of  operation. 

Our  present  plan,  under  a  general  organization,  works  very 
difTerently.  Two,  three,  or  more  missionaries  are  sent  to  the 
same  station  to  co-operate  with  each  other.  They  aid  each 
other  in  the  acquisition  of  that  most  difficult  language.  In  locat- 
ing a  Mission,  they  have  the  united  counsel  of  the  whole  Mis- 
sion. If  one  is  forced  to  leave  the  field,  the  remainmg  members 
keep  the  interests  of  the  whole  Mission  together. 

The  history  of  our  Mission  in  Shanghai  is  in  point.  When, 
one  after  another,  missionaries  have  been  compelled  to  retire 
from  that  field,  others  were  left  to  keep  up  the  work.  Rein- 
forcements have  enabled  us  to  make  our  efforts  continuous 
and  unbroken.  And  the  history  of  the  past  does  not  afford  a 
more  successful  Mission  than  the  Baptist  Mission  at  Shanghai. 

I  am  fully  persuaded  that  a  successful  attempt  to  break  down 
our  present  plan  of  operations  abroad  will  effectually  paralyze 
the  efforts  of  the  few  in  our  churches  who  are  interested  in 
the  Foreign  Missionary  enterprise. 

Moreover,  the  change  would  not  lemove  the  evil  complained 
of,  i.  c,  the  machinery  of  a  Board.  It  an  association  or  church 
should  undertake  to  support  a  mission,  the  first  important  step 
would  be  to  appoint  an  Executive  Board  or  Committee  to  col- 
lect and  transmit  funds  and  confer  with  their  missionary.  In 
a  word,  this  committee  would  do  just  the  work  that  is  now  done 
by  the  Board  in  Richmond:  with  this  exception,  that,  having 
less  experience,  they  would  probably  not  do  the  work  so  well. 
It  is  utterly  impossible  to  carry  on  missions  abroad  by  con- 
tributions from  home  without  some  kind  of  management  by 
a  Board  or  Committee.  And  the  Board  of  a  general  organiza- 
tion, with  a  paid  secretary,  would  be  much  more  likely  to  attend 
to  the  work  than  a  multiplicity  of  boards  with  secretaries  render- 
ing gratuitous  service. 

We  need  some  plan  for  our  home  department  which  will 
throw  more  responsibility  upon  the  brethren  of  the  different 
States,  will  lead  them  to  feel  more  identified  with  the  work, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  retain  our  central  organization  for  the 
purpose  of  efficiency  abroad. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  135 

Brethren,  what  think  you  of  the  following? 

Let  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  discontinue  all  its  agents, 
and  let  each  State,  by  the  State  organization,  or  by  a  separate 
missionary  society,  appoint  its  own  agent  for  Foreign  Missions, 
a  man  in  whom  the  churches  have  confidence.  Let  his  whole 
time  be  devoted  to  the  Foreign  Mission  work,  collecting  funds, 
infusing  into  pastors  and  churches  the  missionary  spirit,  and 
seeking  out  young  men  for  the  foreign  field. 

Now,  to  stimulate  the  churches  and  agents  in  the  different 
States,  let  each  State  seek  out  from  among  its  young  ministers 
a  man  who  feels  that  it  is  his  duty  to  go  to  the  heathen,  or 
adopt  one  already  in  the  field  who  went  out  from  their  midst. 
Let  the  State  fix  the  salary  and  become  responsible  to  the 
Board,  not  only  for  that,  but  for  all  the  expenses  of  that  mis- 
sionary. 

Let  the  funds  collected  by  the  agents  of  the  different  States 
be  sent  up  to  the  Board  at  Richmond,  and  by  them  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  foreign  field.  Except  the  fixing  of  salaries,  let 
the  Board  have  the  management  of  the  Missions  as  they  have 
been  doing.  Let  the  Missions,  composed  of  men  from  the 
different  States,  report  to  the  Board,  and  let  the  missionaries 
from  the  different  States  report  their  proportional  part  of  the 
annual  expense  of  the  Mission  to  the  respective  State  organiza- 
tions. And  let  each  denominational  organ  devote  one  or  two 
columns  to  the  subject  of  missions. 

Some  States  will,  perhaps,  have  no  missionary.  Others  will 
contribute  more  than  enough  for  the  expenses  of  their  men 
in  the  field.  Others  may  not  contribute  enough.  The  surplus 
sent  up  by  some  States  can  be  appropriated  to  meet  the  defici- 
encies of  those  who  have  sent  out  more  men  than  they  can 
support,  and  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  Board. 

Mr.  Yates  spoke  several  times  in  the  Convention  in 
Richmond,  emphasizing  the  brighter  side  of  missionary 
life  and  describing  the  joy  of  preaching  the  gospel  to 
the  heathen.  He  took  no  part,  however,  in  the  debate 
between  the  giants  upon  the  questions  of  policy  which 
had  been  agitated  among  the  Baptists  of  the  South.  He 
rejoiced,  however,  that  the  victory  remained  with  those 


136  Yatks  The  Missionary. 

who  opposed  the  abolition  of  the  Boards  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Convention. 

An  address  of  Mr.  Yates  at  a  mass  meeting  for  Foreign 
Missions  during  this  meeting  was  destined  to  influence 
profoundly  the  career  of  Mr.  Charles  H.  R\land,  who 
was  at  that  time  a  student  at  Richmond  College.  That 
he  afterwards  became,  and  is  no^s  one  of  the  most  hon- 
ored and  beloved  ministers  in  Virginia  hardly  needs  ^o 
be  stated.  Thirty-eight  years  after  this  meeting  Dr. 
R viand  writes: 

Mr.  Yates  was  making  a  powerful  appeal  to  young  men  to 
hear  the  call  of  God,  prepare  for  the  ministry,  and  go  to  China. 
My  heart  had  been  greatly  troubled  upon  the  subject,  and  I 
trembled  and  wept  under  this  appeal.  .  .  .  That  night  decided 
the  question  with  me.  I  then  and  there  made  the  surrender, 
and  said  that  I  would  do  anything  and  go  anywhere  for  the 
Master.  Mr.  Yates'  speech  was  powerful,  and  I  still  have  a 
vivid  recollection  of  it.  I  have  always  claimed  him  as  my  father 
in  the  ministry. 

Of  this  result  of  his  address  Mr.  Yates  remamed  in 
ignorance  for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Of  the  joy  that  the 
belated  disclosure  brought  to  the  heart  of  the  lonely 
missionary  on  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  this  oc- 
casion, he  will  himself  tell  in  due  order. 

Mr.  Yates  was  encouraged  at  this  time  b^    the  hope 
that  the  Shanghai  mission  would  be  strongly  leinforced 
Of  one  of  the  expected  recruits  he  wrote: 

May  2-],  1859. 

If  Brother  Rohrer  is  to  go  to  Shanghai,  it  would  be  very 
desirable  for  him  to  go  with  me.  I  have  in  four  hundred  man- 
uscript pages  a  dictionary  of  the  Shanghai  dialect,  and  could 
teach  him  more  Chinese  during  the  voyage  than  he  could  learn 
in  a  year  at  Shanghai. 

I  have  travelled  over  five  thousand  miles  since  I  have  been  lii 
the  United  States,  and  think  that  I  have  not  travelled  in  vain. 

During  the  summer  Mr.  Yates  appealed  to  the  Board, 


Yates  The  Missionary.  137 

and  not  without  success,  to  pay  their  missionaries  sal- 
aries which  would  enable  them  to  lay  by  something  for 
a  rainy  day.  In  this  appeal  he  said  that  his  loyalty  and 
affection  would  not  be  affected  by  the  refusal  of  the 
request: 

For  one,  I  am  determined  to  co-operate  with  the  Board.  I  have 
no  confidence  in  the  stability  of  any  faction  that  may  spring 
up  in  opposition  to  the  Board.  As  servants  of  Jesus,  we  are 
willing  to  labor  among  the  heathen  for  a  mere  support,  but  we 
are  not  wilHng  to  throw  ourselves  or  our  families  upon  the 
sympathies  of  the  churches  when  we  are  no  longer  able  to 
perform  active  service.  No  missionary  with  natural  feelings 
can  prevent  the  oft-recurring  enquiry,  what  will  become  of  my 
family  when  T  fall?  This  hangs  like  an  incubus  upon  the  minds 
of  your  missionaries  and  greatly  interferes  with  their  usefulness. 

He  suggested  that  the  Board  could 

"Remove  this  incubus,  by  increasing  from  this  time  forth  th^, 
salaries  of  their  missionaries  and  allowing  them  to  arrange  to 
take  care  of  themselves.  This  would  place  them  on  an  equality 
with  other  salaried  men." 

The  same  subject  is  further  discussed  in  the  two  letters 
to  Rev.  A.  M.  Poindexter: 

Green  Level,  N,  C,  August  8,  1859. 

I  never  can,  with  my  consent,  place  my  family  or  myself, 
when  I  am  no  longer  able  to  render  active  service  abroad,  in 
the  position  of  paupers  upon  the  charities  of  the  Board  or  the 
churches. 

It  is  the  policy  of  the  Board,  in  fixing  the  allowance  of  mis- 
sionaries, to  give  "a  comfortable  support  only."  And  when  the 
missionary  is  no  longer  able  to  earn  a  comfortable  support, 
he  or  his  widow  "may  receive  such  special  appropriations,  if 
in  destitute  circumstances,  as  the  nature  of  the  case  may 
justify." 

Dear  brethren  of  the  Board,  the  policy  referred  to  is  wrong. 
Your  missionaries  have  certain  duties  to  perform  towards  their 
families  which  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  discharge  if  this 
policy  is  enforced.    The  history  of  employer  and  employee  does 


138  Yat?:s  The  Missionary. 

not  furnish   another  instance  where  the   employee  is   expected 
to  serve  for  Hfe  for  a  bare  support. 

Green  Level,  N.  C,  September  24,  1859. 

I  presented  the  matter  to  the  brethren  of  the  Board  and 
asked  them  to  fix  a  sum  and  let  us  have  it  now,  in  the  way  of 
salary,  in  order  that,  when  we  are  no  longer  able  to  render 
active  service,  we  may  be  independent  of  the  Board,  and  the 
Board  be  under  no  obligation  to  support  us.  The  amount 
allowed  by  the  Board  was  $150  a  year  more  than  we  have  been 
receiving. 

If  the  love  of  money  possessed  our  bosoms,  it  would  be  com- 
paratively easy  for  us  to  realize  thousands  where,  by  this  change, 
we  realize  one.  I  love  my  work  more  than  I  do  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  money,  or  I  could  now  have  been  a  wealthy  man. 
I  have  never  stepped  aside  from  my  work  to  make  a  dollar. 

Many  reasons  might  be  assigned  why  I  desired  the  change. 
I  will,  however,  be  content  with  a  single  statement.  I  desire 
to  save  myself  and  family,  in  the  hour  of  destitution  and  afflic- 
tion, the  mortification  of  having  to  beg. 

How  can  you  expect  the  self-denial  of  those  who  go,  to  be 
greater  than  that  of  those  who  send?  Are  not  your  mission- 
aries a  type  of  those  who  send  them?  By  what  scriptural  au- 
thority do  you  require  your  missionaries  to  sacrifice  every- 
thing but  an  economical  support,  for  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel,  while  the  same  class  of  men  at  home  contribute  only 
what  they  can  spare  without  inconvenience?  Is  not  the  world 
the  field;  and  are  not  Christians  as  much  bound  to  make  sacri- 
fices for  Christ  in  one  part  of  the  field  as  in  another? 

Mr.  Yates  and  his  wife,  anxious  that  their  daughter 
should  be  reared  under  the  influences  of  American  civili- 
zation, had  almost  decided  to  leave  her  in  North  Caro- 
lina to  be  educated.  JUit  when  the  time  for  parting  came, 
they  could  not  bring  themselves  to  the  point  of  leaving 
their  only  child  behind  them. 

Nothing  was  lost  by  their  final  decision  to  take  their 
daughter  back  to  China  with  them.  When,  more  than 
twenty  years  afterwards,  the  daughter  visited  Richmond, 


Yates  The  Missionary.  139 

a   lady    remarked:    ''What    a    pity    that    all    our    younG: 

women  were  not  born  and  reared  in  China!"    Subsequent 

pages  will  reveal  Mr.  Yates'  anxiety  as  to  the  education 

of  his  child,  and  the  fact  that  she  was  enabled  to  spend 

two  years  in  the  excellent  schools  of  Geneva,  m  Switzer 

land. 

New  York,  October  22,  1859. 
To  the  Recorder: 

We  are  still  in  New  York,  expecting  to  sail  for  our  distant 
home  in  a  few  days.  We  go  in  the  ship  "Eureka."  She  is 
commanded  by  an  old  friend  of  mine.  Captain  Cutler.  He  is 
a  member  of  a  Baptist  church,  and  takes  his  wife  and  child  with 
him.  So  far  as  ship  and  captain  are  concerned,  we  are  very 
fortunate.  With  the  blessing  of  God,  we  hope  to  have  a  safe 
and  pleasant  voyage,  and  to  reach  our  home  by  March  12th. 

Very  dear  brethren,  our  visit  to  the  United  States  is  over. 
We  have  seen  your  faces,  enjoyed  your  society,  and  endeavored 
to  interest  you  in  our  work.  May  the  young  men  who  have 
expressed  to  me  a  deep  interest  in  the  foreign  field  continue 
to  ask  where  the  Lord  would  have  them  labor.  And  when  the 
Spirit  directs,  may  they  never  consult  with  flesh  and  blood, 
but  take  up  the  cross  and  follow  whithersoever  he  may  lead. 

Could  I  meet  my  brethren  in  the  approaching  Convention, 
we  would  strive  to  realize  together  that  the  world  is  estranged 
from  God,  that  it  must  be  converted  to  God,  and  that  we  are 
the  instruments  for  accomplishing  this  end.  Let  us  all  strive, 
with  our  talents,  our  fortunes,  and  all  our  influence,  to  bring 
a  lost  world  back  to  God. 

Brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  an  effectual  door  may  be  opened 
to  us,  and  that  we  may  win  many  souls  to  Christ.  Brethren, 
sisters,  friends,  farewell.  Let  us  strive  to  meet  in  heaven.  The 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 


140  Yates  The  Missionary. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

SUPPORTING  A   MISSION 1860-1865 AGE  4 1 -46. 

SHREW13  calculation  it  was,  in  the  letter  at 
the  end  of  the  last  chapter,  or  else  a  happ> 
guess,  which   came  within  two  days  of  the 

length  of  a  voyage  of  over  four  months  on  a 

sailing  vessel.     This  voyage  was  in  marked  contrast  to 
that  which  had  brought  Mr.  Yates  and  his  companions 
to  America,  being  uneventful  and  altogether  pleasant. 
Another  long  stadium  of  steady  and  successful  work 

is  now  entered. 

Shanghai,  March  31,   i860. 

We  arrived  here  March  loth,  and  a  warm  welcome  awaited 

us.     The   native    members    of   our   little    church,    in    particular, 

were  delighted  to  see  us  back  again.     Some  of  them  said,  "Well, 

now  he  can  begin  anew  again."    They  have  had  rather  a  trying 

time   for  the  last   eight  months,   several   of  them   having  been 

persecuted  on  account  of  their  religion. 

Shanghai,  April  27,  i860. 
To  his  Sister: 

A  young  man  who  came  out  in  our  ship  got  his  leg  broken, 
and  we  have  brought  him  to  our  house  to  take  care  of  him. 
He  was  very  kind  and  pleasant  to  ub.  on  the  way  out,  and  we 
are  glad  to  do  something  for  him. 

Shanghai,  May  14,  i860. 

When  we  commenced  operations  here  in  1847,  the  officials 
and  the  scribes  and  Pharisees  of  this  great  city  ignored  the 
existence  of  the  Christian  missionaries.  They  evinced  a  super- 
cilious regard  for  the  influence  of  a  few  Christians  upon  the 
people.  Of  late,  quite  a  change  has  come  over  them.  The 
wealthy  are  contributing  funds,  and  Chinese  scholars  are  es- 
tablishing opposition  schools  in  different  parts  of  the  city. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  141 

Shanghai,  May  30,  i860. 
To  his  Father: 

Many  of  the  people  of  Shanghai  are  moving  away.  They 
have  taken  a  panic,  and  think  it  safer  somewhere  else  than  in 
Shanghai.  The  Rebels  are  moving  upon  Soochow.  There  is, 
however,  no  danger.  The  English  and  French  have  eight  or 
ten  thousand  troops  in  this  port,  and  have  to-day  put  a  thousand 
men  in  different  positions  around  the  city  to  guard  it  against 
the  Rebels.  They  are  determined  that  this  city  shall  not  be  again 
disturbed  by  lawless  bands.  There  is  a  guard  of  two  hundred 
men  in  about  two  hundred  yards  of  my  house.  The  native  au- 
thorities are  apprehending  quite  a  number  of  suspicious  char- 
acters. Within  the  last  three  days,  forty-one  of  these  poor 
unfortunate  creatures  have  been  beheaded.  This  morning  ten 
were  beheaded  not  far  from  my  house.  Their  heads  are  stuck 
up  over  the  city  gates  as  a  warning. 

Shanghai,  August  i,  iSOo. 

The  Rebellion  has  broken  out  afresh.  The  allied  French  and 
English  armies  have  occupied  Shanghai,  Our  congregations 
are  small,  consisting  mainly  of  Chinese  from  the  interior. 
Fortunately,  the  year  before  I  sailed  for  the  United  States, 
I  studied  the  Mandarin  language,  and  now  I  am  able  to  preach 
to  these  strangers  in  their  own  language.  Many  of  them  seem 
much  interested  in  the  gospel. 

I  do  not  feel  that  I  was  much  benefited  by  my  visit  to  the 
States;  spiritually,  I  sustained  a  serious  injury. 

Shanghai,  August  9,  i860. 
The    Rebels    now    have   the   whole   of   this    province,    except 
Shanghai  and  a  few  small  places.     Under  existing  circumstances 
we  can  do  but  little  aggressive  work.     The  great  mass  of  the 
people  moved  into  the  country  more  than  a  month  ago. 

Shanghai,  September  2,  i860. 
This  is  truly  a  trying  time  for  us  and  our  work.  Rebels, 
batteries,  barricades,  guards,  and  soldiers,  with  all  the  vices  con- 
sequent upon  having  troops  quartered  upon  a  heathen  people, 
absorb  the  attention  of  the  few  who  have  not  fled  to  some  place 
of  supposed  safety.     But  now  that  we  can  do  little  more  than 


142  Yates  The  Missionary. 

hold  on,  God  is  at  work.     The  Chinese  have  been  humbled;  an 

effectual  door  will  soon  be  opened. 

Shanghai,  October  i,  i860. 

The  great  mass  of  the  population  of  the  city  have  not  returned 
to  their  homes,  consequently  our  congregations  at  Sung-way- 
dong  are  small.    Truly  this  is  a  dark  hour  for  us  at  Shanghai. 

My  services  at  Kiaw-hwo-dong  are  well  attended.  There  are 
many  who  come  regularly  and  manifest  some  interest  in  the 
gospel.  A  rice  merchant  near  our  place  has  been  interested 
for  years.  Hitherto  he  has  not  believed  that  he  could  keep  the 
Sabbath  and  do  a  living  business  during  the  week.  He  is  now 
prepared  to  obey  Christ,  let  the  consequences  to  his  worldly 
interests  be  what  they  may. 

The  rice  merchant  referred  to  above,  and  whose  bap- 
tism is  mentioned  in  the  next  letter,  was  Wong  Yih  San 
Dr.  Yates'  letters  of  a  later  period  will  have  much  to  sav 
of  his  consecration,  self-denial,  and  usefulness.  No  na- 
tive Chinese  Christian  has  probably  more  iully  illus- 
trated the  transforming  power  of  the  grace  of  God  than 
has  this  man,  who  became  widely  known  and  loved  as 
Deacon  Wong.  It  will  of  course  be  remembered  that  he 
and  Wong  Ping  San,  the  native  pastor,  were  quite  dis- 
tinct persons. 

Shanghai,  October  20,  i860. 

I  had  the  pleasure,  last  Sabbath,  of  baptizing  in  the  baptistry 
of  our  church  a  very  interesting  man  named  Wong.  He  is  a 
merchant  of  some  standing,  a  near  neighbor  of  mine,  and  a  man 
of  considerable  influence. 

He  has  been  interested  two  or  three  years;  indeed,  at  one  time 
he  offered  himself  for  baptism.  Owing  to  some  difficulty  in 
regard  to  keeping  the  Sabbath,  he  was  not  received.  Now  he 
has  joy  and  peace  in  believing;  his  desire  is  to  obey  Christ, 
and  he  finds  no  difficulty  in  closing  his  store  on  the  Sabbath. 

There  is  a  freshness  about  a  young  convert  who  has  just  come 
out  of  heathen  darkness  that  is  very  refreshing. 

Shanghai,  November  30,  i860. 
I    am    encouraged    in    my    work.      The    congregation    at    the 
Kiaw-hwo-dong   is  very  good.     The  chapel   is   crowded  when- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  143 

ever  I  open  it,  day  or  night,  and  several  seem  to  be  more  or 
less  interested.  Many  attend  services  regularly  three  times  a 
week.     I  hope,  ere  long,  to  gather  a  harvest  here. 

Shanghai,  December  30,  i860. 
To  his  Sister: 

We  have  been  blessed  with  health  since  we  reached  home, 
but  have  been  surrounded  with  war  and  bloodshed.  In  all  these 
trials  we  have  been  mercifully  preserved.  The  English  and 
French  war  with  the  Chinese  is  now  over.  The  people  who 
fled  when  the  Rebels  came  last  summer  have  returned  to  their 
homes.  And,  in  addition  to  the  people  of  this  place,  there  are 
not  less  than  a  hundred  thousand  who  have  fled  from  other 
places  which  have  been  taken  by  the  Rebels.  Imagine,  if  you 
can,  a  field  seven  miles  in  circumference,  thick  with  men  and 
women,  with  their  children,  dogs,  cats,  and  chickens  about 
their  feet,  and  you  will  have  some  idea  of  the  crowd  at  Shanghai. 
And  if  you  will  look  closely,  you  will  see  me,  a  head  and 
shoulders  above  the  crowd,  trying  to  teach  them  about  the 
way  of  life. 

Though  surrounded  by  many  difficulties,  we  are  encouraged 
in  our  work.  My  church  is  a  long  way  ahead  of  yours.  There 
are  now  twenty-four  members.  They  have  a  weekly  prayer 
meeting  among  themselves.  Seven  of  the  male  members  pray 
in  public,  and  most  of  the  others  pray  in  their  families.  They 
meet  together  every  Sabbath  for  worship.  Compare  this  state 
of  religious  culture  among  our  few  with  almost  any  of  our 
churches  at  home,  and  is  there  any  ground  for  discouragement? 
In  our  little  flock,  there  are  two  whom  we  call  preachers. 
Others  speak  in  public. 

Shanghai,  December  30,  i860. 

This  has  been  a  bad  year  for  missionary  work.  The  Anglo- 
French  war  with  the  Chinese  has  greatly  interfered  with  our 
operations.  But  it  will  be  overruled  for  good.  The  Tien-Tsin 
Treaty  opens  for  Mission  work  the  whole  Empire;  that  is,  so 
far  as  treaty  stipulations  can  possibly  do  so. 

Shanghai,  January  21,  1861. 
In   almost   every   congregation   there   are   a   few   men   of  the 
world  in  whom  the  minister  feels  more  than  ordinary  interest, 


144  Yat?:s  The  Missionary. 

not  only  for  the  salvation  of  their  own  souls,  but  because  of 
their  inlluence  over  others.  I  have  long  had  two  such  men  as 
my  near  neighbors,  Mr.  Soong  and  Mr.  Tsang.  Last  summer, 
when  the  rebels  came  before  the  city,  it  was  in  my  power  to  do 
Mr.  Soong  and  his  family  a  favor.  During  the  excitement, 
I  had  an  opportunity  of  making  a  personal  appeal  to  him  in 
regard  to  his  soul.  A  few  weeks  afterwards  he  began  to  attend 
my  services  occasionally.  At  first  he  would  sit  near  the  door 
and  leave  before  the  services  ended.  He  is  now  a  regular  at- 
tendant three  times  a  week,  and  has  moved  up  gradually,  till 
now  he  sits  within  four  seats  of  the  pulpit.  He  appears  to  be 
deeply  interested. 

Mr.  Tsang  is  the  man  from  whom  our  mission  property  was 
purchased.  Though  I  have  known  him  for  years,  and  though 
he  lives  within  twenty  steps  of  our  chapel,  I  have  never  seen 
him  or  any  of  his  family  in  it  until  recently.  They  would  laugh 
at  those  of  the  neighbors  who  did  go. 

Some  six  weeks  ago,  Mr.  Tsang  got  into  a  difficulty  with 
a  French  officer,  and  was  imprisoned  by  the  native  authorities. 
As  I  had  been  an  eye-witness  of  the  unfortunate  affair,  I  in- 
terested myself  in  his  behalf,  and  rescued  him  from  a  heavy 
punishment  and  many  months  in  prison.  He  is  now  a  regular 
attendant  at  my  night  services.  Yesterday  Mrs.  Yates  pre- 
vailed on  his  wife  and  two  of  his  tenants  to  be  at  church  for 
the  first  time.  Oh,  that  the  Lord  would  bring  these  men  to 
a  saving  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ!  When  they  come,  they 
will  bring  a  long  train  with  them. 

Shanghai,  March  20,  1861. 

The  political  condition  of  our  once  glorious  Union  is  truly 
alarming.  That  it  should  make  it  necessary  to  reduce  our 
annual  estimate  by  one-third,  and  that  the  Board  should  have 
to  resolve  to  send  out  no  more  missionaries  under  existing 
circumstances,  confounds  me  beyond  measure.  If  the  Southern 
States  secede,  and  a  civil  war  ensues,  what  are  we  to  do?  This 
is  a  dark  providence,  occurring,  too,  just  at  the  time  when  we 
ought  not  to  retrench,  but  double  and  multiply  ail  the  appli- 
ances necessary  to  bring  the  gospel  to  bear  on,  the  millions 
who  have  recently  been  made  accessible. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  145 

March  21. — We  have  just  received  Brother  Taylor's  letter 
of  December  25th.  and  news  via  England  to  January  loth. 
Five  States  have  seceded!  May  the  God  of  nations  save  our 
country  from  a  fratricidal  war!  Viewing  the  whole  matter 
from  this  distant  point  of  observation,  our  people,  North  and 
South,  seem  to  be  mad. 

The  Lord  bless  us  and  sustain  us  in  this  dawn  of  darkness 
and  great  anxiety. 

During  the  Civil  War  in  America,  when  the  Southern 
States  were  almost  entirely  cut  off  from  intercourse  with 
the  outside  world,  there  were  long  and  anxious  inter- 
vals during  which  the  Board  heard  nothing  from  theii 
missionaries. 

It  is  not  unlikely  that  during  some  of  these  years  Mr. 
Yates  was  doing  much  of  the  best  work  of  his  life.  At 
any  ratC;  there  is  no  question  that,  being  compelled  to 
enter  government  employ  as  a  means  of  support,  he 
greatly  enlarged  his  opportunities  for  subsequent  useful- 
ness. 

The  summer  of  1862  was  a  trying  one  to  the  mission- 
aries in  vShanghai.  Asiatic  cholera  prevailed  m  its  most 
fatal  form  and  carried  off  hundreds  of  thousands  of  vic- 
tims. The  city  was  still  threatened  by  the  Rebels,  and 
panics  were  not  infrequent.  The  church  btiilding  insid-i 
the  walls  had  been  destroyed  by  fire.  Liberal  subscrip- 
tions had  been  made  by  the  residents  of  Shanghai  for 
Its  restoration,  and  the  work  was  then  nearly  completed. 
The  same  fire  had  destroyed  the  entire  stock  of  Bibles 
and  books.  There  was  not  a  copy  in  the  Mission  for 
distribution. 

In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  written  twenty-three  years  afte- 
this  time.  Dr.  Yates  gave  the  details  of  an  incident  which 
had  both  a  serious  and  an  amusing  side. 

During  the  bad  cholera  season  of  1862,  my  servant  reported 
to  me  just  before  night  that  the  body  of  a  dead  man,  stripped 
of  clothing,  had  been  left  at  my  front  gate.     It  was  a  rainy  even- 
10 


146  Yates  The  Missionary. 

ing  in  September.  I  knew  that  some  poor  family  had  left  it 
there  in  the  hope  that  I  would  give  it  a  decent  burial. 

Before  dark,  I  went  out  and  examined  the  corpse.  It  was  as 
cold  as  clay,  except  the  region  of  the  heart,  where  there  was 
some  indication  of  warmth.  There  was  no  indication  that  he 
breathed,  even  when  a  lighted  candle  was  applied  to  his  nostrils. 
I  ordered  some  straw  to  be  brought,  placed  him  on  it,  and 
poured  a  half  teaspoonful  of  diluted  pain-killer  down  his  throat. 
Two  hours  afterwards  I  went  out  and,  to  my  astonishment, 
found  that  the  warmth  about  the  heart  still  continued.  I  ad- 
ministered a  double  dose  of  the  remedy  and  added  more  straw, 
for  it  was  raining. 

Early  the  next  morning  I  went  out  and  found  the  man  alive 
and  seated  against  the  wall.  I  took  him  in,  put  warm  clothing 
on  him,  gave  him  a  mild  stimulant  and  fluid  nourishment  every 
hour.  Before  night  he  was  able  to  walk  to  his  house,  which 
was  not  very  far  distant.  Imagine  the  surprise  of  his  family  at 
seeing  its  head  return  to  them  from  the  spirit  world  dressed 
as  a  foreigner.    The  fame  of  this  cure  went  far  and  wide. 

The  man  refused  to  receive  religious  instruction.  He  was  a 
Buddhist,  and  said  that  his  daily  prayer  to  Buddha  was  that 
his  spirit,  at  death,  might  be  transmigrated  into  a  donkey  for 
me  to  ride  in  the  spirit  world,  because  I  had  given  him  so 
many  more  years  to  eat  rice  and  enjoy  life.  For  years  he  was 
known  as  my  donkey,  and  was  generally  called  by  that  name. 

Every  summer  the  Chinese  suffer  more  or  less  from  cholera. 
In  some  cases  it  assumes  a  peculiar  form,  and  is  attended  with 
a  terrible  cramp.  In  that  case,  unless  speedy  relief  is  given,  the 
patient  dies  in  about  two  hours. 

Relief  is  sought,  not  from  a  doctor,  but  from  a  barber.  With 
a  large  needle  he  punctures  the  body  in  various  places,  thrust- 
ing in  his  needle  one  or  two  inches  deep  into  the  back  of  the 
neck  and  the  stomach.  The  last  thrust  is  under  the  patient's 
tongue.  All  this  seems  more  like  butchering  than  curing  a 
man;  but  in  many  cases  the  effect  is  to  relax  the  cramped 
muscles,  and  the  patient  slowly  recovers. 

Shanghai,  October  6,  1862. 
The  present  condition  of  things  at   home  induces  the  belief 


Yates  The  Missionary.  147 

that  we  cannot  reasonably  calculate  on  a  support  through  the 
usual  channels.  We  are  therefore  looking  about  us  for  the 
means  of  supporting  ourselves  for  the  time,  without  abandon- 
ing our  missionary  work. 

The  Municipal  Council  of  the  Foreign  Community  has  ofifered 
me  the  position  of  Interpreter  and  Superintendent  of  Chinese 
taxes.  This  position  will  enable  me  to  gain  an  unbounded 
influence  over  a  population  of  not  less  than  80,000  Chinese. 

It  will  not  interfere  materially  with  my  labors  in  the  city. 
I  have,  therefore,  pretty  well  made  up  my  mind  to  accept  the 
appointment.  The  pay  will  be  about  $2,000  a  year.  This  will 
support  my  family  and  enable  me  to  do  missionary  work. 

He  was  rii^ht  in  believiiii:^  that  he  would  gain  large 
inliUence,  though  it  was  probably  due  more  to  the  man 
than  to  the  position. 

After  Mr.  Yates'  death,  Rev.  T.  E.  Skinnei,  D.D.,  of 
Raleigh,  N.  C,  wrote: 

His  acquaintance  with  the  highest  mandarins  of  China,  and 
his  popularity  with  the  Chinese  authorities  and  the  common 
people,  were  only  discovered  by  us  after  we  learned  that  he 
had  been  made  Interpreter  in  the  Foreign  Courts,  and  that  he 
at  the  same  time  acted  as  Assistant  Consul  for  the  United 
States. 

He  spoke  the  Chinese  language  so  perfectly  that  tew  of  the 
natives  could  be  persuaded  that  he  w^as  not  a  Chinaman  himself. 

A  merchant  from  Shanghai  told  me  in  London  that  Dr. 
Yates  had  more  influence  over  the  Chinese,  and  also  over 
foreigners,  than  any  other  person  in  Shanghai. 

Dr.  William  Muirhead,  of  the  London  Missionary 
Society,  writing  from  Shanghai,  under  date  oi  February 
14,  1897,  says: 

Dr.  Yates'  stalwart  appearance,  his  activity  in  missionary 
work,  and  his  habit  of  mingling  largely  with  the  people,  brought 
him  into  wide  notice,  while,  it  is  well  known,  he  performed 
many  acts  of  philanthropic  usefulness  among  the  Chinese. 

In  consequence  of  the  war  in  the  United  States,  he  was  led 


148  Yates  The  Missionary. 

to  occupy  positions  in  connection  with  the  Municipal  Council 
and  the  United  States  Consulate,  which  enabled  him  to  exert 
a  beneficial  influence  in  the  interests  of  his  mission  work.  He 
was  also,  in  this  way,  placed  in  relations  to  the  foreign  com- 
munity at  Shanghai,  which  were  altogether  unique,  and  which 
increased  the  respect  and  honor  with  which  he  was  regarded, 
both  in  his  private  and  public  capacity. 

Dr.  Yates  was  a  devoted  servant  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  great 
end  and  object  of  his  life  was  preaching  the  gospel.  He  was 
a  pioneer  in  this  part  of  the  field  and  was  successful  in  a  high 
degree.  He  helped  to  lay  the  foundations  of  what  is  a  growing 
church  here.  It  would  have  been  a  matter  of  intense  interest 
to  him  had  he  been  spared  to  witness  the  course  of  things  now 
going  on  in   China. 

More  recently  Rev.  R.  H.  Graves  has  said: 

Among  the  traits  which  made  his  life  the  forceful  one  that 
it  was,  I  would  put  his  insight  into  human  nature,  especially 
Chinese  nature.  The  Chinese  regarded  him  as  having  an  almost 
supernatural  knowledge  of  the  human  heart.  When  he  fixed 
his  keen  glance  on  a  man,  and  discerned  the  motives  that 
prompted  him,  the  man  felt  that  he  saw  him  through  and 
through. 

His  experience  as  assessor  in  the  Mixed  Court  also  gave  him 
this  knowledge  of  character.  He  told  me  several  instances  of 
his  being  requested  by  merchants  to  detect  dishonesty  in  their 
employees,  and  always  with  success. 

An  illustration  of  his  penetration  of  character  is  fur- 
nished by  one  of  Mr.  Yates'  intimate  friends: 

After  Mr.  Yates  had  been  in  China  a  number  of  years,  and 
had  won  the  confidence  of  the  natives,  an  ofificial  sought  an 
interview  with  him,  regarding  him  in  the  light  of  a  prophet. 
He  stated  that  he  had  lost  a  sum  of  money  and  many  valuable 
jewels,  and  besought  the  missionary's  aid  in  recovering  them. 
Yates  replied  that  he  was  not  a  prophet  nor  an  expert  in  that 
kind  of  work.  The  Chinese  olificer,  however,  continued  to  beg 
the  great  foreigner  to  help  him,  and  intimated  that  he  thought 
that  some  one  of  his  sixteen  servants  might  be  the  guilty  party. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  149 

Finally  Dr.  Yates  agreed  to  try,  on  the  condition  that  the  cul- 
prit, if  discovered,  should  not  be  cruelly  punished.  So  he  sat 
in  a  room  alone,  and  the  Chinaman,  at  his  request,  sent  in  one 
servant  at  a  time.  As  the  first  entered,  Mr.  Yates  looked  him 
steadily  into  the  eyes,  and  the  servant  gazed  at  Yates.  "Pass 
on,  sir."  was  Dr.  Yates'  order.  In  came  the  second  servant, 
and  he  likewise  was  ordered  to  pass  out.  In  this  way  fifteen 
of  the  servants  came  in  and  were  ordered  to  pass  on.  When 
the  last  of  the  sixteen  entered,  he  was  seen  to  be  better  dressed 
than  the  others.  He  flashed  his  eye  on  the  missionary  and  then 
looked  down  and  began  to  put  on  some  airs.  "Stop,  sir,"  said 
Mr.  Yates,  and  called  for  the  master  to  come  in.  "This  is  the 
fellow  who  took  your  money,"  remarked  Dr.  Yates.  "Is  it 
possible,"  said  the  officer.  "He  is  the  one  whom  I  have  trusted 
more  than  any  of  them."  The  servant  at  first  denied  it.  Dr. 
Yates  made  a  sign  for  the  master  to  leave  the  room,  leaving 
them  alone  together.  After  a  moment  Yates  rose  to  his  full 
height,  confronted  the  fellow,  and  said:  "Now,  sir;  at  once  show 
me  that  money!"  The  rogue  hastened  to  a  private  room,  Yates 
closely  following  him,  and  there  produced  the  money  and 
jewels. 

Dr.  Lambiith,  formerly  of  the  Methodist  mission,  re- 
ferring to  this  incident,  writes: 

The  Chinese  were  more  certain  than  ever,  after  this  occur- 
rence, that  Mr.  Yates  possessed  some  miraculous  power  which 
enabled  him  to  read  their  inmost  thoughts.  Upon  being  ques- 
tioned afterwards  as  to  the  secret  of  his  being  able  to  detect  the 
thief,  Mr.  Yates  replied,  "There  was  one  man  who  kept  swallow- 
mg  every  time  I  fixed  my  eye  on  him.  After  a  long  experience 
with  the  Chinese,  I  have  found  ^his  a  positive  indication  of 
guilt  and  consequent  embarrassment." 

Shanghai,  April  6,  1863. 
To  his  Father: 

Your  letter   of   December,    1861,   was   the   last   that   we   have 

received  from  any  one  in  North  Carolina.     You  have  doubtless 

felt  much  anxiety  on  our  account.     If  this  reaches  you  it  will 

put  your  mind  at  rest,  so  far  as  we  are  concerned.     My  family 

is   provided   for.      When    I    saw    the   dark   day   approaching,    I 


150  Yates  The  Missionary. 

secured  a  little  money  and  purchased  a  piece  of  land  when 
house  lots  were  quite  low.  Within  a  few  months  the  value  of 
land  increased  so  much  that  I  was  able  to  rent  this  lot  of  ground 
for  ten  years,  payable  yearly  in  advance,  for  a  sum  sufficient 
to  enable  me  to  pay  for  the  lot  out  of  the  first  year's  rent.  As 
soon  as  the  deed  for  the  first  lot  was  registered,  I  mortgaged 
the  land  to  procure  money  to  purchase  another  lot.  This  I  have 
also  rented  for  ten  years  at  a  rate  sufficient  to  enable  me  to 
pay  for  it  out  of  the  first  years  rent.  The  income  from  these 
lots  will  in  a  few  months  be  sufficient  to  support  my  family. 
For  the  last  five  months,  I  have  been  acting  as  Interpreter  to 
the  English  and  American  Municipal  Council.  I  work  four 
or  five  hours  per  day,  for  which  they  pay  me  a  little  over  three 
thousand  dollars.  I  mean  Mexican  dollars.  This  is  sufficient 
to  support  my  family  and  enable  me  to  carry  on  my  missionary 
work.  I  have  abundant  reason  to  be  thankful  to  God  for  his 
mercy  to  me  and  mine  in  this  our  time  of  great  need. 

Our  daughter's  education  has  been  a  source  of  anxiety  to 
us.  We  had  expected  to  send  her  to  Raleigh  this  spring.  This 
plan  is  now  impracticable.  And  her  education  cannot  be  de- 
ferred. I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  remain  alone  in  my  work 
in  Shanghai  while  Mrs.  Yates  and  my  daughter  go  to  Geneva, 
in  Switzerland.  It  is  a  sore  trial,  but  duty  to  an  only  child 
seems  to  demand  it. 

I  am  sending  this  letter  by  way  of  Nassau,  with  the  hope 
that  it  may  run  the  blockade.  I  am  very  anxious  to  hear  again 
from  home.  I  do  not  dare  to  hope  that  I  shall  hear  that  you 
are  all  alive.  Some  of  my  relations  have  doubtless  fallen  in 
battle. 

Shanghai,  September  20,  1863. 
To  his  Parents: 

Though  there  is  but  little  hope  of  this  note  ever  reaching 
you,  I  wish  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  communicate  with  you. 

I  shall,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  leave  here  in  March  or 
April  to  join  my  family  in  Switzerland.  I  expect  to  spend 
about  a  year  away,  recruiting  my  health;  and  then  we  will  all 
return  together  to  Shanghai.  At  least,  this  is  our  plan  at 
present.     We  cannot  tell  what  the  future  may  develop. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  151 

I  am  all  alone.  My  family  is  in  Europe,  and  all  the  other 
members  of  the  Mission  are  settled  in  Shantung.  This  is  a 
dark  day  for  Shanghai.  Most  of  the  missionaries  have  sought 
other  fields  of  labor.  There  are  here  only  three  or  four  mis- 
sionaries to  preach  the  gospel.  One  million  eight  hundred 
thousand  souls!  what  are  we  among  so  many?  Most  of  those 
here  able  to  preach  will  leave  soon.  Bishop  Boone,  many 
years  a  missionary,  cannot  last  long.  He  is  feeble.  Dr.  IMuir- 
head,  of  the  London  Mission,  will  go  home  soon. 

Shanghai,  September  20.   1863. 
I    am    meeting  all    the   expenses    of   the    Mission    at   present. 
The  Municipal  Council  pay  me  ten  dollars  per  day,  and  I  main- 
tain four  regular  services  in  my  missionary  work  each  week. 

Shanghai,  October  7,  1863. 

I  know  you  are  anxious  about  our  support.  On  this  point 
set  your  mind  at  rest.  I  have  a  good  position  as  Interpreter 
at  the  Municipal  Council.  There  I  have  but  little  work  to  do, 
simply  to  talk  Chinese,  some  days  fifteen  minutes,  some  days 
half  an  hour.  For  this  service.  I  receive  three  hundred  Mex- 
ican dollars  each  month.  This  is  enough  to  support  me  and 
my  family;  they  are  in  Europe.  And,  as  this  work  does  not 
interfere  with  my  mission  work,  I  shall  continue  in  the  employ 
of  the  Council  until  the  cruel  war  in  America  is  over. 

I  have  not  been  strong  this  summer,  and  I  feel  that  it  will 
be  prudent  for  me  to  spend  the  summer  of  1864  away  from 
Shanghai.  In  April  I  expect  to  join  my  family  in  Geneva, 
and,  after  spending  some  months  or  a  year  with  them,  bring 
them  back  with  me  to  Shanghai. 

I  am  entirely  alone  now.  The  health  of  Brother  and  Sister 
Crawford  failed  in  July.  The  doctor  told  them  that  they  could 
not  safely  remain  longer  at  Shanghai.  They  left,  as  soon  as 
they  were  able  to  travel,  for  Shantung,  in  the  north  of  China. 
I  have  heard  from  them.  They  arrived  in  pretty  good  health. 
I  shipped  all  their  furniture  only  three  days  ago.  I  am  alone, 
and  lonely  it  is. 

I  am  encouraged  in  my  work.  Last  week  had  a  very  interest- 
ing case  of  conversion. 


IC2  Yates  The  Missionary. 

•J 

Few  and  infrequent  were  the  letters  of  Mr.  Yates 
which  reached  his  friends  in  America  after  the  blockade 
had  become  effectual.  Fortunately,  this  gap  can  be  filled 
in  part  by  a  letter  from  Rev.  T.  E.  Skinner,  D.D. 

In  1864  Mr.  Yates  learned  that  I  was  in  England,  and  wrote 
to  me  from  Geneva  to  meet  him  in  Paris  on  the  fifteenth  of 
July,  the  fete  day  of  Napolean  III. 

On  my  arrival  at  the  Grand  Hotel,  the  appointed  place  of 
rendezvous,  I  enquired  of  the  intelligence  man  if  Mr.  Vates  had 
arrived.  'Yes,  sir,"  he  answered,  '"and  he  requests  that  you 
remain  in  until  he  returns."  Mr.  Yates  had  impressed  this 
man,  as  he  did  all  whom  he  met,  as  a  great  personage.  He 
took  him  to  be  an  American  diplomat. 

Oh,  how  many  incidents  rise  up  before  my  mind's  eye  as 
1  recall  the  days  we  spent  together  in  Paris.  It  was  estimated 
that  a  million  and  a  half  of  strangers  were  in  the  city  to  witness 
the  celebration  of  the  Emperor's  birthday.  All  were  polite  and 
good  humored.  A  lady  from  Shanghai  was  at  the  Grand  Hotel 
with  her  two  sons  whom  she  had  brought  to  Paris  to  be  edu- 
cated. Her  husband,  one  of  the  largest  merchants  of  Shanghai, 
had,  before  his  death  been  a  special  friend  of  Mr.  Yates.  She 
was  a  native  of  Mobile.  Though  nearly  as  tall  as  Yates,  and 
very  large,  she  was  quite  active  and  a  good  walker.  The 
pyrotechnic  display  on  the  night  of  the  fete  surpassed  all  power 
of  description.  The  crowd  was  so  dense  that  one  could  move 
only  as  it  surged  and  swayed.  In  this  ocean  of  humanity, 
Yates,  with  the  lady  on  his  arm,  became  separated  from  me. 
At  the  same  time  a  sudden  movement  of  the  crowd  pressed 
me  against  a  gentleman  and  his  lady.  I  apologized  in  English, 
and  then  discovered  that  I  was  speaking  to  my  old  school- 
mate, Captain  James  Waddell,  of  the  S.  S.  Shenandoah.  We 
had  not  met  for  thirty  years  until  that  night.  The  next  day 
he  called  and  was  very  attentive  to  Dr.  Yates  and  myself. 
Indeed,  we  should  have  missed  much  of  Paris  but  for  his 
kindness. 

I  was  surprised  to  learn  that  Mr.  Yates  expected  me  to  go 
with  him  to  Geneva;  he  said  that  he  had  promised  Mrs.  Yates 
and  Annie  to  bring  me  back  with  him.    When  I  announced  my 


Yates  The  Missionary.  153 

decision  to  return  to  England,  with  candor  and  love  he  asked 
me  if  it  was  the  expense  that  decided  me.  Then  he  added:  "It 
shall  not  cost  you  anything  if  you  will  accept  it  from  me  as  a 
brother  beloved;  and  remember,  Skinner,  I  have  never  had  an 
opportunity  before  of  expressing  my  gratitude  for  the  many 
favors  you  rendered  me  when  friends  were  few." 

The  two  weeks  that  I  spent  with  him  among  the  mountains 
of  Switzerland  and  in  Geneva  were  among  the  happiest  of  my 
long  and  eventful  life.  We  worshipped  together  m  Calvin's 
old  church  and  stood  together  at  his  (supposed)  grave.  We 
met  D'Aubigne,  who  reminded  me  much  of  Dr.  Wayland.  One 
of  Mr.  Yates'  near  neighbors  in  Geneva  was  Mrs.  Mumford, 
from  Columbus,  Ga.  She  was  a  great  sufiferer,  and  received  no 
relief  from  the  physicians  of  Europe.  In  1871,  while  I  was 
pastor  in  Columbus,  Dr.  Yates  visited  me  for  two  weeks.  But 
so  greatly  had  he  impressed  Mrs.  Mumford  that  she  vehemently 
opposed  Mr.  Yates'  stopping  at  my  house,  and  made  him  her 
guest.  Her  father,  though  not  a  Christian,  gave  him  $200  for 
his  work  in  Shanghai. 

Thus  it  was  that  wherever  Yates  was  known,  he  charmed 
and  magnetized  the  people. 

He  returned  with  me  to  England.  There  we  spent  another 
delightful  fortnight  together,  visiting  Warwick  Castle,  Kenil- 
worth,  Stratford  on  Avon,  and  other  interesting  places  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Leamington,  where  my  family  were  residing 
at  the  time. 

Geneva,  September,   1864. 

To  his  Father: 

Your  letter  was  the  first  that  I  have  received  from  you  since 
my  arrival  in  Switzerland. 

I  have  rather  bad  news  from  Shanghai.  Real  estate  has 
gone  down  very  much.     I  shall,  however,  be  able  to  live.     Mr. 

did   a   very   imprudent   thing  in   publishing  a   private 

note  of  mine,  in  which,  to  quiet  your  minds,  I  wrote  that  I 
had  an  income  of  $6,000.  At  that  time  I  had  a  salary  of  $4,800. 
Now  I  am  not  receiving  that  salary,  and  the  property  I  have 
at  Shanghai  is,  on  account  of  the  American  war,  greatly  de- 
preciated^in  value.     So  you  see  my  currency  is  somewhat  de- 


154  Yates  The  Missionary. 

predated,  as  well  as  yours.     I  fear  that  that  letter  will  do  both 
me  and  the  cause  of  missions  much  injury. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  still  keep  up  the  Sabbath  school, 
and  that  you  are  able  to  do  so  much  for  the  wives  of  the  brave 
soldiers. 

Had  Mr.  Yates  been  less  consecrated  to  the  work  to 
AA'hich  he  believed  God  had  called  him,  he  could  doubt 
less  have  amassed  a  large  fortune.  It  happened  thac 
Hon.  \\^illie  P.  Mangum,  who  had  been  a  fellow  student 
with  him  at  Wake  Forest  College,  was  United  States 
Consul  General  in  China.  This  gentleman  urged  the 
missionary,  of  whose  fine  business  gifts  he  was  well 
Jiware,  to  devote  more  attention  to  the  making  of  money. 
But  Mr.  Yates  fled  from  the  temptation  of  becoming 
secularized.  He  was  glad  to  be  able  to  support  himself 
while  cut  off  from  the  wSouthern  churches.  And,  having 
entered  into  government  emplov  as  a  means  of  support, 
he  was  able  to  save  from  his  earnings.  His  savings  and 
a  moderate  inheritance  wdiich  came  to  his  wife  werj 
wisely  invested.  But  these  possessions,  like  their  owner, 
were  consecrated  to  the  Master's  use.  Subscjuent  pages 
will  tell  of  the  wise  and  faithful  administralion  of  his 
stewardship. 

As  a  mattter  of  fact,  Mr.  Yates  used  very  sparingly 
his  opportunities  for  the  accumulation  of  wealth.  Mr. 
Mangum,  who  knew  well  the  man  and  the  cliances  that 
he  had,  did  not  hesitate  to  declare  that  Mr.  Yates,  if  he 
had  wished  to  do  so,  could  have  made  half  a  million 
dollars  in  China. 

The  following  letter  reached  its  destination  in  the  midst 
of  the  gloomy  days  of  reconstruction.  About  fou^ 
months  had  elapsed  since  the  close  of  the  Civil  War 
The  draft  for  $250  came  as  a  timely  and  benutiful  gif: 
into  the  hands  of  kindred  who  had  m(!t  witli  great  and 
sudden  losses. 

Geneva,  September  6,  1865. 
To  his  Brother: 

You  will  find  the  amount  small,  but  a  little  in  these  times  will 


Yates  The  Missionary.  155 

perhaps  give  my  aged  parents  a  few  comforts,  or  at  least  as- 
sure them  of  my  will  to  help  them. 

Your  last,  with  one  from  my  father,  gave  me  unspeakable 
pleasure.  How  thankful  I  am  that  all  my  brothers  and 
brothers-in-law  are  spared.  Truly,  God  has  been  merciful  to 
us  all. 

We  are  returning  to  Shanghai,  not  knowing  what  is  to  befall 
us  there,  as  the  Board  will  not  be  able  for  some  time  to  send 
us  funds,  and  my  own  income  is  reduced  to  a  good  living.  I 
shall  try  to  be  thankful  for  that. 

I  long  since  committed  myself  and  my  family  to  the  Lord. 
I  hope  that  I  shall  be  able  to  trust  him  in  all  things.  We  shall 
be  happy,  if  our  health  is  continued  to  us.  We  have,  however, 
been  too  long  in  China  to  expect  this  for  a  much  longer  period. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

"l     II.W'E    REACHED    THE    CHINESE    HEART" 1865-1869 

AGE    46-50. 


EINVIGORATED  by  -est  and  travel,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Yates,  with  their  daughter,  now  a  cultured 
young  woman,  left  Switzerland  in  tne  autumn 
of  1865  for  their  home  in  China.  In  the  earlier 
\  ears  of  their  missionary  life,  "home"  always  meant 
America.  From  this  time  to  the  end,  when  Mr.  Yates 
refers  to  "home,"  he  means  China. 

Steamship  Imperatrice,  October  11,  1865. 

Within  less  than  forty-eight  hours  we  shall  be  at  Galle,  on  the 
south  end  of  Ceylon. 

We  sailed  from  Marseilles  on  the  nineteenth  of  September, 
with  about  a  hundred  other  passengers,  men  and  women  of 
all  nations  and  tongues.  We  were  blessed  with  a  perfectly 
smooth  sea  to  Messina,  in  Sicily.  Etna,  as  we  passed,  was  send- 
ing forth  a  perpetual  stream  of  white  smoke.  From  Messina 
to    Alexandria   we   experienced   a   fresh    breeze,    and   our   ship, 


156  Yates  The  Missionary. 

the  Moeris,  rolled  badly.  Many  were  very  seasick.  Mrs.  Yates, 
for  the  first  time,  was  not.     I  am  never  seasick. 

From  Alexandria  we  were  hurried  through,  by  train,  to 
Cairo,  where  we  passed  a  night  at  a  miserable  hotel.  The  next 
day  we  crossed  the  desert  to  Suez,  where  we  took  this  steamer. 

I  am  sure  that  I  can  never  forget  the  extreme  heat  of  the 
several  days  we  passed  between  Suez  and  Aden.  It  was  some- 
thing awful.  It  was  like  walking  along  a  broad  street  with  the 
houses  on  fire  on  both  sides.  The  thermometer  showed  135  de- 
grees. The  extreme  heat  from  the  sand  hills  on  either  shore 
did  not  allow  the  air  to  cool  at  night.  Many  strong  men  and 
women  fainted.  There  were  no  deaths,  though  one  man  came 
near  it.     A  single  death  would  have  caused  many. 

October  12. — At  Ceylon,  all  well  and  in  fine  spirits. 

Shanghai,  March,   1866. 

To  his  Parents: 

My  property  here  is  not  worth  much  now.     I  hope  that  it  may 

be  better  by  and  by. 

How  I  should  like  to  see  and  talk  with  those  veterans,  

and  [his  nephews].     I   hope  that  they  will   be   able   to 

educate  their  children.  Education  will  be  much  more  needed 
now  than  if  there  had  been  no  war.  The  education  of  their 
children,  till  it  is  completed,  should  be  the  great  business  of 
their  lives. 

I  am  still  alone  at  Shanghai.  I  continue  to  preach  and  pray, 
but  cannot  say  that  I  see  much  to  encourage  me  in  my  work. 
But  what  we  are  commanded  to  do  is  to  preach  the  word.  With 
the  blessing  of  health,  I  hope  to  continue  in  this  good  work 
a  little  longer. 

Since  I  returned  from  Europe,  I  have  had  no  secular  business. 
But  I  do  not  attempt  to  preach  now  as  often  as  I  used  to  do, 
from  five  to  eight  times  a  week.  I  find  it  advisable  to  husband 
my  strength. 

It  is  not  likely  that  the  foregoing  letter,  ihoiigh  ad- 
dressed to  Mr.  Yates'  parents,  was  read  by  moie  than  one 
of  them.  His  father  had  probably  passed  away  before 
it  reached  America.  His  mother  died  a  few  months  later. 
As  the  years  of  the  Civil  War  had  wrought  havoc  among 


Yates  The  Missionary.  157 

the  young  and  vigorous,  so  the  years  immediately  suc- 
ceeding its  close,  with  their  changed  order  of  things 
were,  as  was  often  remarked  at  the  time,  exceptionalH 
fatal  to  those  who  had  passed  the  meridian  of  nfe. 

Shanghai,  Novembei  26,  1867. 
To  his  Sister: 

Both  of  our  dear  parents  are  now  at  rest  in  heaven,  where 
they  will  forever  be  free  from  anxiety  and  trouble.  We  should 
try  to  feel  thankful  that  they  were  spared  to  us  so  long.  And 
now  that  there  is  so  much  trouble  in  America,  we  should  not 
grieve  that  they  have  been  taken  to  their  rest.  Our  summons 
will  come  in  due  time. 

I  have  baptized  five  Chinese  within  a  month.  I  am  alone, 
having  had  no  colleague  since  Mr.  Crawford  went  North.  My 
field  is  a  large  one.  It  has  more  souls  in  it  than  you  have  in 
the  United  States.  There  are  more  than  forty  million  people 
to  whom  I  could  preach  if  I  had  mouths  enough.  I  am  tired 
of  constant  labor.  I  preach  in  the  day,  and  work  every  even- 
ing for  a  support.  The  Board  cannot  furnish  us,  these  hard 
times,  with  money  enough  for  our  support.  But  I  am  willing 
to  spend  and  be  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Lord. 

Give  all  your  children  a  good  education,  if  it  takes  all  you 
make  each  year.  I  made  some  money  in  1863  and  spent  it 
on  the  education  of  our  child.     I  do  not  regret  it. 

Shanghai,  January  16,  1868. 

Missionaries  may  now  travel  and  preach  with  impunity.  They 
may  also  preach  at  interior  cities  without  fear  of  serious  op- 
position. Making  a  virtue  of  necessity,  the  Chinese  have  dis- 
covered that  our  religion  teaches  morality,  and  therefore  is 
good.  With  the  men  and  means,  we  could  preach  the  gospel 
to  a  hundred  millions  this  year. 

I  do  not  wish  the  churches  to  make  sacrifices  for  me.  If 
they  do  it  for  Christ  and  for  missions,  it  is  well. 

During  the  dark  days  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War, 
]\Ir.  Yates  published  an  address  to  his  brethren  in  the 
Southern  ministry.     From  it  a  few  extracts  are  taken: 

Now  that  the  afflicting  hand  of  God  is  upon  our  land,  does 
it  not  become  his  ambassadors  to  enquire  how  we  have  executed 


158  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Christ's  command,  "Teaching  them  to  observe  all  things,  what- 
soever I  have  commanded  you?"  Our  obligations  are  but  half 
discharged  when  we  preach  justification  through  faith. 

Allow  me  to  enquire  if  a  grievous  evil  has  not  crept  into  our 
ministry  and  our  churches.  I  mean  popular  preaching,  to  the 
exclusion  of  teaching  the  churches.  Have  they  not  greatly  low- 
ered the  standard  of  church  membership? 

Is  not  the  practice  of  writing  adulatory  notices  of  young  men 
just  entering  the  ministry  very  demoralizing?  Is  it  not  well 
calculated  to  increase  the  number  of  men  who  seek  to  become 
popular  preachers  rather  than  faithful  pastors? 

Has  not  this  retrograde  movement  come  to  this,  that  many 
pastors  dare  not  proclaim  the  whole  counsel  of  God  to  their 
people?  They  are  constantly  adding  fresh  recruits  to  the  host, 
but  they  do  not  lead  them  on  to  victory  against  the  powers 

of  darkness. 

Shanghai,  May  24,  1868. 
To  his  Sister: 

You  said  nothing  in  your  letter  about  the  education  of  the 

boys.     I   was   truly   glad   to   hear  that  and  [his 

nephews]  had  joined  the  church.  I  hope  that  they  will  become 
working  members  in  their  Master's  service.  He  vvho  labors 
for  Christ  will  enjoy  more  of  Christ's  presence  than  he  who 
hides  his  talent. 

If  the  war  deranged  your  plans  for  their  education,  let  them 
read  and  study  every  night  at  home  for  at  least  an  hour.  Tell 
them  never  to  pass  by  a  single  word  or  passage  that  they  do 
not  understand.  Let  them  keep  a  dictionary  and  map  by  them. 
Let  every  important  fact  or  idea  be  fixed  in  their  minds  before 
they  pass  on  to  something  new.  Boys  are  very  apt  to  skim  over 
a  book  without  knowing  anything  about  it  when  they  have 
read  it  through.  One  book  well  read  is  worth  a  dozen  hastily 
passed  over.  Your  boys  can  form  no  idea  what  an  improve- 
ment a  few  years  of  close  attention  would  make  in  them.  But 
excuse  this  long  essay  on  education. 

Living  is  very  expensive  here  now.  I  have  thus  far  managed 
to  make  a  living  by  working,  sometimes  late  at  night.  What 
I  can  earn  from  time  to  time,  added  to  what  I  receive  from  the 
Board,  has  kept  us  from  suffering. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  159 

I  am  doing  what  I  can  in  our  mission  work.  The  people 
come  to  hear  me  preach,  but  will  not  turn  from  their  sins  and 
idols.  Many  of  them  become  more  or  less  interested,  but  it 
is  too  often  like  the  morning  dew.  As  I  am  now  prepared  for 
this  work,  I  suppose  that  it  is  my  duty  to  continue  in  it.  The 
field  is  the  world,  and  this  is,  by  far  the  largest  field  on  the 
face  of  the  globe.  China  does  not  look  large  on  the  map — but 
the  people — there  are  four  hundred  millions  here,  and  all  going 
the  downward  road.  It  seems  to  be  the  will  of  the  Lord  that 
I  should  wear  out  here. 

Shanghai,  July  13,  1868. 

After  service  yesterday  I  opened  the  door  for  the  reception 
of  candidates  for  baptism.  One  woman  who  lived  in  my  family 
seventeen  years  ago  came  forward  and  was  received.  This  is 
receiving  bread  cast  upon  the  waters  many  years  ago. 

Shanghai,  October  13,  1868. 
During  the  past  summer  we  have  been  kept  from  serious 
illness.  I  have  been  able  to  keep  up  my  regular  preaching 
services  during  the  whole  summer.  Many  Chinese  manifest  a 
deep  interest  in  the  gospel,  and  say  that  they  believe  in  Christ. 
Few,  however,  have  the  fortitude  to  put  on  Christ. 


Shanghai,  December,  i! 

Our  religion  is  attracting  the  attention  of  the  literati  and 
officials.  The  power  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  is  making  itself 
felt  in  China.  The  thinking  classes  are  not  slow  to  see  that  it 
aims  at  an  entire  subversion  of  their  ancient  systems.  Op- 
position will  not  injure  our  cause.  It  will  only  attract  atten- 
tion to  the  new  religion,  as,  in  days  gone  by,  it  has  done  in 
the  West. 

Shanghai,  December  31,  1868. 

My  church  is  growing  in  knowledge,  and  in  some  cases 
greatly  in  efficiency.  My  idea  of  a  properly  trained  church 
is  that  every  member  should  feel  that  he  or  she  has  a  work  to 
do  for  the  conversion  of  others. 

Never  have  I  felt  more  certain  of  the  ultimate  triumph  of 
the  gospel  in  China. 


i6o  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Mr.  Yates'  views  as  to  "a  properly  trained  church" 
were  much  more  fully  expressed  several  years  later  in 
the  great  Missionary  Conference: 

To  secure  an  aggressive  native  church,  there  are  some  things 
v,'hich  I  regard  as  fundamental. 

1.  A  converted  and  evangelical  membership.  To  admit  an> 
other  element  into  our  churches,  even  though  they  may  be 
persons  of  weaUh  or  influence  as  scholars,  is  to  paralyze  the 
whole  church.  For  the  persons  of  wealth  and  influence  will 
give  the  moral  tone  to  the  church. 

2.  They  should  be  taught  that,  when  they  embrace  Christian- 
ity, they  become  the  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  not  the  dis- 
ciples of  the  missionary. 

3.  As  they  have  become  the  disciples  of  Jesus,  they  should 
become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  his  teachings  in  the  lan- 
guage in  which  they  think  and  speak.  They  should  be  en- 
couraged to  commit  to  memory  precious  and  practical  portions 
of  the  New  Testament  in  the  spoken  language  of  their  par- 
ticular locality. 

4.  They  should  be  taught  the  individuality  of  their  religion, 
that  they  are  personally  responsible  to  God;  that  they  can  and 
ought  to  exert  a  personal  influence  in  behalf  of  the  religion 
which  they  profess. 

We  need  to  take  hold  and  show  them  how  it  should  be  done; 
this  will  be  easy  to  do,  for  the  Chinese  are  good  imitators,  and 
example  is  a  good  teacher.  And  at  first,  if  they  need  a  little 
aid,  we  should  render  it,  for  nothing  is  so  encouraging  as 
success.  We  should  strive  to  avoid  the  depressing  influence 
of  failure.  And  let  it  be  ever  borne  in  mind  that  we  need  not 
expect  our  native  preachers  to  be  aggressive  unless  we  are  ag- 
gressive ourselves. 

There  is  testimony  from  many  quarters  that  in  his  own 
work  Mr.  Yates  practiced  the  principles  set  forth  above. 
He  could  have  added  large  numbers  to  his  church,  and 
have  sent  home  glowing  reports.  But  he  knew  that  in 
order  to  lay  solidly  "the  foundations  of  a  mii;hty  super- 
structure," he  might  not  use  unhewn  stone  or  untem- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  i6i 

pered  mortar.     He  could  be  patient  that  his  work  might 
be  al)iding. 

Mr.  Bryan  has  written  from  Shanghai: 

He  was  noted  for  his  common  sense  and  good  judgment 
This  is  seen  not  only  in  the  locations  of  his  mission  stations, 
but  also  in  the  characters  of  the  native  Christians  whom  he 
gathered  into  his  churches.  Some  time  ago  I  called  on  an 
Episcopal  missionary  physician  and  found  him  telling  another 
physician  that  Dr.  Yates  did  not  gather  in  so  many  native 
Christians  as  some  others,  but  that  he  gathered  in  better  ones. 
Nearly  every  denomination  in  Shanghai  has  some  of  his 
members  employed  in  important  places. 

And  Dr.  Graves  has  written  from  Canton: 

As  a  missionary,  he  gave  his  main  attention  to  the  work  for 
which  he  was  best  fitted,  the  oral  proclamation  of  the  Word. 
He  was  more  careful  as  to  the  quality  than  the  quantity  of  his 
converts,  and  some  of  them  were  men  of  marked  character. 

Shan^^hai,  February  7,  1869. 
The  fields  are  whitening  for  the  harvest.     It  is  impossible  for 
any  one  not  in  the  work  to  imagine  my  feelings  as  I  cast  my 
eyes   over  this  populous   region  wholly  given  to   idolatry  and 

superstition. 

An  article  sent  to  America  by  Mr.  Yates  at  this  time 
contains  the  following  sentences: 

This  huge,  rotten,  monstrous  thing,  China,  cannot  exist  as 
it  is.  It  is  an  outrage  against  nature,  civilization,  and  the  prin- 
ciples of  right  that  are  beginning,  at  last,  to  live  in  the  world's 
history, 

Shanghai,  April  19,  1869. 

The  Board  has  not  been  able  for  the  last  sixteen  months  to 
send  me  more  than  half  the  amount  required  for  our  salaries 
and  to  keep  up  the  Mission  property. 

Shanghai,  April  24,   1869. 
At    my    morning   service    every    seat   was    occupied    by    very 
attentive  hearers.     While  preaching,  I  saw  tears  flowing  freely 
II 


i62  Yates  The  Missionary. 

from  the  eyes  of  more  than  one.     This  is  an  unusual  sight  in  a 
heathen  congregation. 

May  7. — To-day  I  baptized  two.  Our  present  type  of  Chris- 
tians is  much  better  than  that  of  former  years. 

May  17. — And  still  they  come.  Yesterday  I  baptized  two 
more.  Others  are  waiting  for  the  opposition  of  friends  to  cease. 
Thus,  while  the  churches  at  home  seem  to  have  utterly  for- 
saken me  and  my  work,  the  Lord  is  verifying  his  promise,  "I 
am  with  you." 

It  costs  the  Chinese,  especially  women,  something  to  become 
Christians.     I  am  delighted  with  the  spirit  of  the  late  converts. 

After  more  than  twenty-one  years  of  labor,  I  have  reached 
the  Chinese  heart.     Oh,  there  is  joy  in  my  little  church. 

My  church,  of  believers  only,  is  attracting  more  and  more 
attention.  There  seems  to  be  something  in  the  simple  act  of 
immersion  that  impresses  the  Chinese  favorably.  It  carries  with 
it  the  idea  of  truthfulness  and  stability. 

Shanghai,  May  9,  1869. 

I  asked  our  native  preacher,  Wong,  a  few  weeks  ago  how  he 
would  explain  the  apparent  change  of  feeling  in  our  congrega- 
tion. He  replied:  'Y^our  preaching  goes  to  the  heart  now: 
formerly  it  only  went  in  at  one  ear  and  out  at  the  other.  You 
preach  much  better  than  in  former  years." 

A  few  years  later  Dr.  Yates  expressed  in  the  Mission- 
ary Conference  his  opinions  as  to  the  essential  conditions 
tor  successful  preaching  to  the  heathen.  Some  of  these 
are  as  true  for  America  as  for  China. 

Too  much  importance  cannot  be  given  to  preaching  as  a 
means  of  converting  the  heathen. 

First  of  all,  a  missionary,  to  be  successful  preacher,  must 
be  well  up  in  the  use  of  the  spoken  language.  He  must  be  able 
to  speak  with  fluency  and  be  ready,  without  premeditation,  to 
controvert  any  point  that  may  be  made. 

Again;  it  is  necessary  that  he  be  well  acquainted  with  the 
religious  systems  which  he  seeks  to  overturn.  Ancestral  wor- 
ship, especially,  should  be  well  understood.  The  physician 
should  know,  not  only  the  disease,  but  the  constitutions  of  his 


Yates  The  Missionary.  i6 


J 


patients.  And  ancestral  worship  is,  so  to  speak,  the  constitu- 
tion or  soul  of  the  religious  systems  of  China. 

Again;  thorough  preparation  of  our  sermons  is  of  the  highest 
importance,  if  we  expect  them  to  be  efifective.  In  my  judgment, 
we  should  in  each  sermon  strive  to  make  one  distinct  impres- 
sion upon  our  hearers.  A  difTuse  style  of  preaching,  ranging 
from  Genesis  to  Revelation,  in  one  sermon,  leaves  no  definite 
impression. 

Again;  let  us  avoid  facetiousness  and  rudeness  when  we  have 
occasion  to  animadvert  upon  their  religious  systems.  We  shall 
gain  nothing  by  it;  we  may  lose  much.  Our  great  work  in 
preaching  is  to  present  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  as  the 
only  antidote  for  all  the  fears  and  woes  of  this  people. 

It  is  likely  that  few  men  knew  Mr.  Yates  more  inti- 
mately than  did  his  early  college  mate  and  lifelong 
friend,  Rev.  T.  E.  Skinner.  Soon  after  Dr.  Yates'  death^ 
Dr.  Skinner  said: 

As  a  preacher,  his  subjects  were  generally  practical  and 
selected  with  an  obvious  aim  to  be  useful.  His  deportment  in 
the  pulpit  was  grave,  self-possessed,  and  devout,  as  became  the 
man  of  God.  His  prayer,  which  was  comprehensive,  appropri- 
ate, and  fervent,  prepared  him  to  deliver,  and  the  people  to 
hear,  the  message  he  had  received  from  God. 

Dr.  Yates  could  speak  four  languages,  but  his  power  as  a 
preacher  w-as  in  the  Chinese  tongue,  which  had,  to  some  ex- 
tent, displaced  his  vernacular,  the  English.  His  acute  ear  en- 
abled him  to  pronounce  with  accuracy  and  distinctness  the  fre- 
quent gutturals  of  the  Chinese  language  so  as  to  disguise  the 
fact  that  he  was  a  foreigner.  The  strain  of  frequent  preaching 
in  Chinese  at  last  so  elongated  the  vocal  chords  that  for  a 
season  he  lost  his  voice  and  could  speak  only  in  a  whisper. 

None  but  the  Chinese  can  ever  tell  how  he  preached;  but  we 
who  knew  him  can  imagine  how,  as  the  sermon  expanded  in 
its  delivery,  the  predominant  qualities  of  the  preacher  became 
very  marked;  the  clear,  ringing  voice,  which  never  faltered  for 
the  fitting  word,  filled  every  part  of  the  sanctuary;  the  ardor  of 
the  preacher  rose  higher  and  his  action  became  more  animated 
as   the   well   worded   sentences   rolled   forth;    at   last   came    the 


164  Yates  The  Missionary. 

climax,  an  overwhelming  burst  of  oratory,  flashing  with  the 
colors  of  a  gorgeous  imagination,  in  which  the  truth  rushed  like 
a  flaming  thunderbolt  into  the  sinner's  conscience,  or  fell  with 
thrilling  power  upon  the  hearts  of  believers. 

In  June,  1869.  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was 
conferred  on  Mr.  Yates  by  the  trustees  of  his  Alma  Alater. 
1  his  was  no  empty  compliment,  but  a  sure  evidence  of 
the  esteem  and  honor  in  which  he  was  held  by  his 
brethren  in  his  native  State.  The  fact  that  Wake  Foresi 
had  been  so  cautious  and  sparing  in  the  bestowal  of  thi^ 
degree  as  to  have  given  it  to  only  six  minister;^  in  thirty  - 
six  years,  adds  emphasis  to  this  statement. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

A  DUMB   PREACHER 1869-1875 — AGE  5O-56. 


ULL  of  encouragement  and  hope  to  the  lone 
missionary  had  been  the  earlier  months  of  1869. 
With  attentive  and  often  tearful  interest,  large 

congregations  listened  to  his  message.     Again 

and  again  were  the  doors  of  the  church  opened  to  re- 
ceive converts  of  a  better  type  than  had  been  known  1 
before. 

All  this  was  over-stimulating  to  Dr.  Yates.  He 
sottght  to  reap  the  largest  possible  harvest  in  this  re- 
vival season.  But  there  was  no  colleagtie  to  assist  or 
relieve  him,  and  in  the  very  flood  tide  of  successftil  mis- 
sionary w^ork  his  voice  stiddenly  failed.  This  was 
thought  at  first  to  be  due  to  bronchial  irritation;  later 
on  it  became  evident,  as  has  already  been  intimated  in 
the  quotation  froni  Dr.  Skinner,  that  his  vocal  chords 
had  been  overstrained  by  too  constant  use  ot  the  trying 
guttural  sounds  of  the  Chinese  .anguage. 

The  following  letters  will  tell  iheir  own  story  of  how 
the  eloc[ticnt  man,  doomed  to  silence,  chafed  at  his  long 


Yates  The  Missionary.  165 

inactivity,  of  his  voyaoc  around  the  globe  and  other 
lonely  journeys  anions;"  strani^ers,  and  of  his  final  re- 
covery of  his  voice,  which  failed  him  no  more  until  his 

death. 

Steamship  Kirshu,  September  23,  1869. 

I  am  now  returning  from  Manchuria.  The  voyage  and  six 
weeks  of  sweet  rest  in  that  bracing  climate  have  had  a  most 
beneficial  efi'ect  upon  my  health.  I  am  as  strong  and  elastic 
in  body  and  mind  as  I  was  twenty  years  ago.  My  bronchial 
affection  is  much  better.  A  moderate  amount  of  ordinary  con- 
versation does  not  affect  me;  but  prolonged  conversation  or 
half  an  hour  of  speaking  brings  on  a  distressing  fit  of  coughing, 
and  is  followed  by  temporary  loss  of  voice. 

I  fear  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  do  anything  like  my  usual 
amount  of  preaching  this  winter. 

Shanghai,   October,   1869. 

I  have  entirely  lost  my  voice,  and  for  weeks  have  not  spoken 
above  a  low  whisper.  This  is  a  sore  trial  to  me.  The  doctor 
says  that  I  am  suffering  from  a  complete  prostration  of  the 
vocal  organs,  the  result  of  long  overuse,  and  that  I  must  ab- 
solutely abstain  from  speaking  for  at  least  one  year.  They  say 
that  what  I  need  is  not  medicine,  as  I  am  in  perfect  health,  but 
rest. 

Now,  with  heavy  heart,  I  am  preparing  for  a  winter  in  Man- 
churia, where  the  climate  is  dry  and  bracing. 

I  am  now  aware  that  in  trying  to  make  up  for  the  deficiency 
in  the  number  of  missionaries,  I  have  taxed  my  voice  beyond 
measure.  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  using  it  about  seven 
hours  a  day.  But,  as  it  has  always  been  so  full  and  clear,  I 
little  thought  of  a  failure  in  that  quarter. 

My  family  will  remain  at  Shanghai  and  aid  by  their  presence 
and  efforts  Rev.  Wong  Ping  San,  whom  I  have  placed  over 
the  little  flock. 

Before  his  conversion,  Pastor  Wong  had  been  a  school 
teacher.  Having-  good  literary  taste,  and  bemg,  withal, 
something  of  a  poet,  he  composed  a  number  of  hymns. 
Some  of  these  are  said  to  be  among  the  best  in  the 
collection  used  by  the  Christians  in  Shanghai.     When 


i66  Yates  The  Missionary. 

about  to  assume  the  undivided  lesponsibility  of  servin.i; 
the  church,  he  wrote  as  follows  tj  the  Board: 

Shanghai,  October  8,  1869. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  I  was  baptized  in  the  river  by  Pastor 
Yates.  From  that  time  my  heart  has  been  at  rest.  I  have  been 
able  to  view  life  and  death  with  composure.  In  a'l  times  of 
trial  and  temptation  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been  my  support  and 
comfort. 

Within  a  year  ten  have  been  baptized;  but,  alas!  just  at  the 
time  when  all  hearts  seemed  to  be  moved  under  the  power  of 
the  truth.  Pastor  Yates  made  efforts  beyond  his  strength,  his 
voice  failed  and  he  is  now  silent.  The  disciples  are  all  sad  and 
disconsolate. 

In  1866  I  was  raised  to  the  high  position  of  pastor.  I  am 
weak  and  of  small  ability;  but  there  must  be  some  one  to  guide 
the  church,  or  the  disciples  would  become  disheartened.  More- 
over, it  becomes  me  to  do  all  I  can  to  accomplish  the  will  of 
God. 

Shanghai,  April   11,   1870. 
To  his  Sister: 

I  have  been  from  home,  away  up  in  Manchuria,  for  five 
months.  Two  weeks  ago  I  reached  home  as  well  as  a  man 
could  desire  to  be,  and  am  as  strong  as  a  small  horse.  My  only 
trouble  is  an  injury  to  my  vocal  organs  from  too  much  speak- 
ing. Two  doctors  have  examined  me  and  say  that  there  is  not 
one  man  in  a  hundred  as  sound  as  I  am,  but  that  I  must  ab- 
stain ahogether  from  speaking.  This  I  could  not  do  at  Shang- 
hai. So  I  went  to  the  North,  where  I  could  rest,  as  the  Chinese 
there  do  not  know  me. 

Now  that  I  have  returned  home,  the  doctor  says  that  I  must 
go  to  the  United  States.  I  do  not  like  the  idea  of  leaving  my 
family  for  so  long  a  time.  To  take  them  with  me  is  out  of  the 
question,  for  the  expense  would  be  too  great.  If  I  find  that  I 
can  rest  here,  I  shall  not  leave.  If  I  go  to  the  States,  I  shall 
not  go  South,  where  the  people  know  me,  until  winter.  But 
I  shall  find  some  quiet  place  among  strangers  and  take  a  good 
rest.     I  have  not  preached  for  six  months.     The  order  is  to  go. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  167 

but  T  am  not  very  obedient.  What  right  has  a  doctor  to  tell 
me  to  leave  my  family  for  a  year  or  more? 

I  believe  that  I  continue  to  grow.  I  am  six  feet  two  and  a 
half  inches  in  height.  I  am  fifty-one  years  old,  and  my  doctor 
says  that  I  am  good  for  thirty  years  more. 

My  Mission  now  is  out  of  debt,  and  I  hope  that  there  will 
be  no  trouble  in  the  future.  Never  was  I  more  encouraged 
in  my  work  than  I  was  when  my  voice  failed  me.  The  interest 
is  still  kept  up  under  my  native  pastor,  Wong.  He  baptized  two 
while  I  was  away,  and  there  are  two  other  applicants. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  churches  at  home  have  almost  for- 
gotten Foreign  Missions.  No  one  comes  to  my  aid.  There  is 
something  wrong.  When  people  have  much  of  the  spirit  of 
Christ,  they  have  the  spirit  of  missions.  It  is  the  duty  of  pastors 
to  teach  their  people  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  Christ 
commanded  them. 

This  letter  is  of  peculiar  interest,  in  that  it  gives  Dr. 
Yates'  own  testimony  to  his  belief  that  he  continued  to 
g-row  in  stature.  The  very  remarkable  fact  that,  after 
})assing  the  meridian  of  life,  he  was  constantly  growing 
taller,  and  that  this  growth  continued  for  some  years, 
is  well  attested  by  others. 

His  lifelong  friend.  Dr.  T.  E.  Skinner,  says: 

Although  twenty-eight  years  of  age  when  he  first  sailed  for 
China,  he  had  growm  one  inch  in  height,  as  the  mark  on  the 
posts  of  his  father's  door  showed,  when  he  returned  to  thi? 
country  eleven  years  afterwards.  Between  this  time  and  his 
last  visit  to  the  United  States,  by  the  same  measure,  he  had 
grown  two  inches  in  height.  This  made  him  six  feet  two  and 
a  half  inches,  without  his  shoes.  His  normal  weight  in  his 
later  years  was  244  pounds.  As  Fuller  once  said  of  Boyce, 
"The  reason  why  God  gave  him  such  a  big  chest  was  because 
his  big  heart  required  it." 

Referring  to  the  facts  mentioned  by  Dr.  Skmner,  the 
editor  of  the  Religious  Herald  wrote  several  years  ago: 

We  have  known  no  other  case  of  the  kind.  The  growth  was 
evidently  healthy,  for  his  body  retained  its  proportions,  and  his 


i68  Yates  The  Missionary. 

intellectual  was  quite  equal  to  his  physical  development.  Was 
the  change  due  to  climate,  or  to  some  peculiarity  of  constitu- 
tion? 

His  mental  growth  can  be  accounted  for  by  his  temperate 
habits,  care  of  bodily  health,  faith  in  God,  and  hard  work,  per- 
sistent study.  His  spiritual  growth  can  be  explained  by  his 
absolute  obedience  to  the  will  of  God,  by  his  fidelity  at  the  post 
of  duty,  and  by  his  great  love  for  the  souls  of  men. 

Rev.  R.  T.  Bryan,  who  during  the  closing  years  of 
Dr.  Yates'  life  was  his  colleague  in  the  Central  China 
Mission,  has  recently  said: 

He  was  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  big  man.  His  mind, 
his  heart,  his  soul  all  corresponded  to  his  large  and  tall  body. 
The  work  that  he  did,  the  fields  of  labor  that  he  laid  out,  the 
large  rooms  and  verandahs  in  the  houses  built  by  him,  the  size 
of  the  books  published  by  him.,  the  very  large  characters  used 
in  printing  them  (his  Chinese  Testament  is  twice  as  large  as 
any  other  that  I  have  seen),  even  the  furniture  in  his  study, 
his  chair,  his  desk,  his  book  cases — in  fact,  everything  with 
which  he  had  any  connection,  silently  but  distinctly  Lells  of  the 
manifold  largeness  of  the  man. 

Dr.  Yates  himself  wrote  some  years  before  his  death : 

I  have  never  been  attacked.  I  have  been  told  that  my  size 
and  apparent  strength  have  inspired  roughs  with  a  wholesome 
dread  of  any  defence  that  I  might  be  called  upon  to  make. 

Those  who  saw  him  during  his  visit  to  America  in 
1870  can  readily  understand  that  a  successtul  attack 
would  have  been  no  easy  matter.  He  was  then  the  em- 
bodiment of  musctilar  Christianity.  In  admiration  of 
his  perfect  proportions,  one  lost  sight  of  his  unusual 
height.  He  was  as  erect  as  an  Indian  and  moved  with 
the  elasticity  and  grace  of  an  athlete.  And,  withal,  he 
was  as  gentle  as  a  woman. 

Though  almost  a  dumb  preacher  at  that  time,  he  oc- 
casionally made  public  addresses.  His  manner  was  ab- 
Folutely    free    from    affectation.      The    glow    of    intense 


Yates  The  Misc->ionary.  169 

earnestness  burned  throui2:h  every  utterance.  In  con 
vcrsation  he  was  genial;  the  ice  of  forniahty  thawed  in 
his  presence.  It  was  good  to  see  his  dark  eyes  gleam 
and  sparkle  in  his  ready  appreciation  of  a  touch  of  humor. 
A  royal  man  this  was,  my  brothers.  Because  he  lived 
close  to  God,  he  was  not,  therefore,  out  of  touch  with 
men.  Xo  effeminate  odor  of  sanctity  drove  his  fellows 
from  his  presence.  His  religion  was  of  the  virile  type, 
and  his  vigorous  manhood  was  permeated  with  his  re- 
ligion. To  be  with  him  was  worth  a  whole  course  of 
Christian  evidences. 

Such  were  the  impressions  received  by  a  young  college 
professor  when  Yates  visited  Wake  Forest  twenty-seven 

\ears  ago. 

Shanghai,  April,  1870. 

It   is    my   privilege   to   write   you   once    more   from    my   own 

home.      For   forty   days   before   leaving   for   Manchuria,    I    wa-^ 

unable   to   make   an   audible   sound.      While   there,    I    had   little 

communication    with    the    outside    world.      After    three    weeks, 

my  voice  began  to  improve,  and  I  became  able  to  converse,  to 

a  limited  extent,  in  my  natural  voice.     But  after  repeated  trials, 

I  find  that  it  will  not  bear  a  steady  strain.     Speaking  for  a  few 

minutes  will  cause  it  to  break  to  a  whisper. 

After  another  month  of  patient  waiting,  it  became 
evident  that  Dr.  Yates  could  not  regain  his  voice  in 
Shanghai,  where,  in  spite  of  all  efforts  and  protests,  he 
was  compelled  to  use  it.  In  May,  therefore,  he  sailed  fo: 
the  United  States.  A  Shanghai  paper  described  the 
parting  between  the  native  church  and  the  missionary 
as  "a  most  affecting  scene." 

San  Francisco,  June  15,  1870. 

I  arrived  here  yesterday.  My  physician  insisted  on  the  trip 
as  my  only  hope  of  regaining  my  vocal  powers.  After  a  month 
of  mature  deliberation  and  prayer,  the  course  advised  seemed 
to  be  duty. 

It  was  hard  to  leave  my  family.  And,  need  I  tell  you,  it 
was  hard  to  leave  our  mission  work,  now  so  promising.  The 
Sahbath  before  I  left,  though  unable  to  speak  above  a  whisper, 


170  Yates  The  Missionary. 

I  baptized  three.  On  the  Sabbath  before  I  baptized  seven. 
The  chapel  cannot  hold  my  congregation.  And  this  is  not  a 
crowd  of  people  who  tarn  in  through  idle  curiosity,  but  they  are 
men  and  women  who  come  expressly  to  hear  the  word  of  God, 
and  they  listen  to  the  gospel  message  with  more  than  ordinary 
attention. 

Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  August  i,  1870. 
To  his  Brother: 

You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  my  two  months  rest  and  my 
trip  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  in  California,  have  very 
much  improved  my  voice;  indeed  it  seems  almost  natural.  But 
I  am  sorry  to  say  that  it  will  not  stand  much  of  a  strain  in 
the  way  of  public  speaking.     So  I  am  playing  lazy  now. 

Thank  you  for  your  kind  invitation  to  make  your  house  my 
home.     I  shall  not  stay  long  at  any  place.    My  home  is  in  China. 

Robert  Samuel  Prichard,  of  Wilmington,  N.  C,  grad- 
uated at  Wake  Forest  College  in  1869  with  the  highest 
honors  of  a  brilliant  class.  More  and  more  during  his 
college  career  had  his  thoughts  been  turned  :o  the  hea- 
then world  as  the  field  for  his  life  work.  Durhig  his  sub- 
sequent student  life  at  the  University  of  Virgmia  lie  was 
able  to  burn  all  the  bridges  behind  him  and  to  declare  his 
purpose  to  become  a  missionary.  The  only  question  with 
him  was  where  the  Lord  would  have  him  labor.  In 
reply  to  Mr,  Prichard's  letter  of  inquiry  Dr.  Yates  wrote 
as  follows: 

Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  September  i,  1870. 

To  Robert  S.  Prichard: 

As  you  may  readily  suppose,  the  subject  of  your  letter  is 
one  in  which  I  am  much  interested.  You  are  considering  the 
all  important  subject  of  a  personal  consecration  to  the  great 
work  of  missions  among  the  heathen,  and  you  "wish  to  know 
the  dif^culties  and  count  the  cost." 

The  one  great  difficulty  with  a  young  man  called  ot 
God  to  preach  the  gospel,  especially  if  he  has  talents  and  am- 
bition, is  the  difficulty  of  attaining  a  state  of  perfect  abnegation 
of  self,  or,  in  other  words,  a  state  of  perfect  resignation  to  the 
will  of  God.     This  involves  the  crucifying  of  all  ambitious  feel- 


Yates  The  Missionary.  171 

ings,  the  turning  of  the  back  upon  all  posts  of  honor,  ease, 
and  affluence,  and  the  marching,  if  he  believes  Christ  com- 
mands it,  into  the  darkness  of  heathenism,  there  to  labor  and 
die  for  the  glory  of  God,  leaving  his  name  and  honors  entirely 
in  the  hands  of  him  whom  he  has  served. 

This  is  the  one  difficulty  that  confronts  you  now. 

This  overcome,  all  other  difficulties  will  vanish  as  soon  as 
they  are  approached.  The  language  is  a  great  trial,  but  it  can 
be  mastered  by  any  one  having  an  ear  capable  of  distinguish- 
ing and  imitating  the  musical  sounds.  The  question  of  climate 
need  give  no  difficulty,  for  there  is  every  variety  of  climate  in 
China  that  is  to  be  found  in  America. 

It  takes  no  more  faith  to  be  a  missionary  than  it  does  to  be 
a  faithful  minister  at  home.  You  will  not  have,  it  is  true,  the 
moral  support  of  sympathizing  Christian  friends,  as  you  would 
in  the  States,  and  this  is  a  sore  trial  to  a  lone  missionary. 

The  life  of  a  missionary  is  one  of  incessant  labor  and  care. 
He  must  work  at  the  language  certain  hours,  preach  at  certain 
hours  every  day,  and  twice  as  many  on  Sundays. 

The  case  of  Judson,  to  which  you  referred,  is  the  exception 
and  not  the  rule  as  regards  the  sufferings  of  a  missionary. 
There  are  trials,  but  God  gives  his  servants  grace  to  bear  them. 
I  have  heard  and  read  much  about  the  peculiar  trials  and  sac- 
rifices of  a  missionary,  but  I  have  never  experienced  them  or 
known,  personally,  others  to  do  so. 

The  qualifications  of  heart,  mind,  and  body  deemed  necessary 
for  a  good  minister  at  home  are  just  the  qualifications  required 
for  a  good  missionary  to  the  heathen.  I  know  of  nothing 
"peculiar"  to  suggest. 

Let  me  urge  you,  therefore,  to  strive  to  overcome  "the  first 
great  difficulty"  to  which  I  have  referred.  Success  in  this  is 
as  essential  to  the  usefulness  of  a  minister  at  homie  as  for  a 
missionary  abroad.  Dismiss,  as  far  as  possible,  the  associations 
which  may  have  had  some  influence  upon  your  feelings,  ask 
the  Lord,  with  a  full  determination  to  follow  the  directions 
of  the  Spirit,  where  he  will  have  you  to  labor,  and  then  be 
honest  with  yourself,  following  the  guiding  of  the  Spirit,  without 
regard  to  the  wishes  and  expectations  of  your  friends. 


172  Yates  The  Missionary. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  advise  you  with  reference  to  another 
year  at  the  University.  It  v^rould  seem  unnecessary.  A  knowl- 
edge of  medicine  might  be  useful  at  some  stations  where  there 
are  no  physicians.  But  I  am  inclined  to  think,  from  my  own 
observation,  that  men  who  take  a  partial  course  in  medicine 
rarely  ever  practice  enough  to  give  them  confidence  in  them- 
selves or  to  secure  the  confidence  of  others.  I  do  not  think 
that  mixed  professions  work  well.  A  year  or  two  at  the  Green- 
ville Seminary  would,  doubtless,  be  very  serviceable  and  de- 
sirable. 

May  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  guide  you  aright  and  direct 
you  into  that  field  where  you  will  in  the  highest  degree  pro- 
mote his  glory. 

Mr.  I'richard  had  already  solved  "the  first  great  dif- 
ticiilty.  '  having  consecrated  himself  without  reserve  to 
the  service  of  God.  With  gladness  and  hope  he  offered 
himself  to  the  Board.  He  was  L^ccepted  and  designated 
to  the  Shanghai  mission.  Btit  God  saw  best  to  call  him 
from  labor  into  rest.  In  January,  1872,  this  lovely  and 
gifted  young  man  died  in  Richmond,  Va. 

Washington,  D.  C,  December  5,  1870. 
To  his  Sister: 

I  am  about  worn  out.  I  took  the  cars  the  day  I  left  you, 
went  to  Columbia  and  Greenville,  S.  C.,  and  then  to  Augusta, 
Atlanta,  and  Columbus,  Ga.  Thence  back  via  Greensboro  and 
Danville  to  Richmond,  and  now  here  I  am  to  have  a  talk  with 
the  President,  if  he  has  time  to  talk  about  Chinese  matters. 
Then  I'm  ofl  for  New  York  and  San  Francisco. 

It  was  din'ing  this  trip  that  he  made  the  \isit  to  Dr. 
Skinner  in  Columbus,  Ga.,  which  was  referred  to  in  a 
previous  chapter.    A.fter  he  left,  Dr.  Skinner  wrote: 

His  last  words,  as  I  walked  along  by  the  moving  car,  clasping 
his  hand,  unwilling  to  let  go,  unable  to  hold  on,  were:  ''Remem- 
ber,  my  brother,  I  am  in  the  advance,  you  in  the  rear." 

These  parting  words  recall  expressions  tised  by  Dr. 
R.  J.  Willingham  in  an  article  upon  Dr.  Yates  in  the 
Seminary  Magazine. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  173 

More  than  forty  years,  steady,  reliable,  earnest,  strong,  prayer- 
ful, at  the  front  he  stood.  For  a  while,  voice  was  gone,  for  a 
time  paralyzed,  through  war,  through  pestilence,  through  trials, 
in  life,  in  death,  at  the  front. 

San  Francisco,  December  30,  1870. 

We  sail  to-morrow  at   noon.     By  the  time  this  reaches  your 

postoffice,   we   shall   be   two   thousand   miles   at   sea.      My   visit 

seems  like  a  dream. 

Shanghai,  February  10,   1871. 
To  his  Sister: 

Here  I  am  at  home  with  my  own  dear  darlings.  I  arrived 
on  Sunday,  February  5th,  the  very  day  that  I  told  you  I  ex- 
pected to  arrive.  Lizzie  and  Annie  and  Mr.  Seaman  were  all 
well  and  glad  to  see  me.  They  knew  that  the  steamer  might 
come  about  noon  and  drove  down  to  see.  I  saw  the  carriage 
coming  before  I  got  on  shore.  Oh,  I  am  so  glad  to  be  at  home 
where  I  can  rest.  Though  my  voice  will  not  enable  me  to 
preach,  I  can  talk  quietly. 

I  am  much  gratified  to  find  that  the  members  of  my  church 
are  steadfast.  The  real  martyr  spirit  is  in  this  infant  church. 
My  chapel  is  crowded. 

Shanghai,  May,  1871. 

The  whole  church  seems  to  be  thoroughly  aroused.  Many 
of  them  seem  to  feel  that  my  affliction  is  a  loud  call  to  them  to 
engage  personally  in  teaching  the  people  the  way  of  salvation. 
The  movement  is  remarkable. 

I  am  now  convinced  that  I  must  give  up  public  speaking. 
The  entire  loss  of  my  voice,  when  I  last  preached,  was  attended 
with  a  paralysis  of  my  right  hand.  My  doctor  in  New  York 
warned  me  against  straining  my  voice,  lest  I  should  have  total 
paralysis  of  the  vocal  chords.  The  symptoms  in  my  hand 
were,  I  suppose,  sympathetic.  They  disappeared  afterward.  I 
resolved  then  not  to  attempt  public  preaching  again  soon,  if 
ever.  But  I  find  that  I  can  speak  in  conversational  tones  with- 
out any  apparent  injury  to  my  voice. 

Every  Sunday  morning,  at  the  close  of  Wong's  service,  I 
take  my  seat  in  front  of  the  congregation  and  explain  the  gos- 
pels, verse  by  verse.    I  began  with  Matthew.    The  whole  church 


174  Yates  The  Missionary. 

seem  delighted  with  the  plan.     I  trust  in  this  way  to  accom- 
plish as  much  as  by  pulpit  exercises. 

Shanghai,  October,   1871. 

All  my  intercourse  with  men  is  in  a  whisper,  and  is  attended 
with  fatigue.  It  requires  as  much  effort  to  speak  in  a  whisper 
now  as  it  did  to  speak  aloud  to  a  large  audience.  The  mus- 
cular power  of  the  vocal  chords  seems  to  have  been  completely 
exhausted  by  protracted  and  vigorous  use  of  the  Chinese  lan- 
guage. The  doctor  encourages  me  to  hope  that,  as  I  am  in 
the  bloom  of  health,  I  may  recover  it  by  rest,  so  that  it  will 
serve  me  for  twenty  years  for  moderate  use. 

Great  as  the  trial  is,  I  must  leave  again  my  family  and  the 
work  I  love  so  well.  The  latter  will  be  in  the  hands  of  Pastor 
Wong  under  Mrs.  Yates'  superintendence  and  the  guidance  of 
the  Spirit  of  Truth.  May  God,  in  answer  to  prayer,  greatly 
prosper  and  bless  this  church. 

There  are  two  candidates  for  baptism;  but  their  friends  op- 
pose.    The  outstation  at  Kwinsan  is  prospering  well. 

Shanghai,  November,  1871. 

I  cannot  remain  in  Shanghai  without  talking  to  the  people, 
and  I  cannot  speak  to  heathen  of  salvation  without  throwing 
my  whole  soul  into  my  address. 

As  I  cannot  work  in  my  present  condition,  and  as  there  is 
a  prospect  of  being  fitted  for  work  by  rest,  I  think  that  I  shall 
go  to  Europe,  where  living  is  cheap,  and  where  I  shall  have 
few  temptation  to  use  my  voice.  If  I  do  go,  it  will  be  at  my 
own  expense.  I  have  a  little  property  here  which  I  can  sell 
This,  with  what  I  have  earned  by  translating  for  the  United 
States  Consulate  General,  will  keep  me  for  a  year  or  so.  Mrs. 
Yates  and  Mr.  Wong  will  carry  on  the  work  in  my  absence. 

Shanghai,  December  9,  1871. 
To  his  Sister: 

I    am   delighted   to   hear   the   good   news   in    regard   to   your 

children.     All  members  of  the  church!     I  can  rejoice  with  you 

both.     May  they  all  be  bright  and  shining  lights  in  the  world. 

To  this  end  they  must  pray  much  and  read  the  Bible  and  other 

good  books.    If  they  cannot  go  to  school  all  the  time,  they  must 

study  at   home,    and   learn   something   every   day.      They   must 


Yates  The  Missionary.  175 

learn  to  spell  correctl}',  learn  to  write  well,  learn  to  calculate, 
and  learn  by  heart  passages  in  the  Bible.  By  learning  a  little 
every  day,  they  will  know  a  great  deal  by  the  time  they  are 
forty.  I  am  a  little  over  fifty,  and  I  keep  trying  to  learn  some- 
thing all  the  time.  And  there  is  yet  much  to  be  learned.  Every 
time  they  see  anything  that  will  be  useful  through  life,  they 
should  never  stop  till  they  make  it  their  own.  In  this  way  they 
will  be  wise  before  they  know  it,  and  they  will  find  the  habit 
of  great  use  through  life. 

You  will  be  sorry  to  hear  that  my  voice  is  gone  again.  My 
trunks  are  packed  to  leave  home  again  in  a  few  days  for 
Europe,  where  no  one  will  have  any  claim  upon  me,  to  rest  my 
voice  for  a  year  or  two.  I  have  not  spoken  since  the  twentieth 
of  September,  except  in  a  whisper.  I  shall  go  through  Egypt, 
where  Moses  crossed  the  Red  Sea  and  wandered  in  the  desert. 
Then  to  Italy  and  see  Rome.  Then  to  Switzerland,  France. 
Germany,  and  I  know  not  where.  I  shall  wander  alone  like  a 
lone  bird,  while  Mrs.  Yates  runs  the  Mission  and  looks  after 
'things  here.  I  shall  be  gone  a  year,  more  or  less.  vSad  separa- 
tions, but  I  can  render  no  service  in  my  present  condition. 
The  doctor  thinks  I  will  get  my  voice,  enough  for  moderate 
us.e,  if  I  will  go  away  for  two  years.  With  this  hope,  I  am  go- 
ing out  on  the  wide  ocean,  not  knowing  what  will  befall  me. 
I  will  write  you  again  when  I  get  to  Europe  and  find  a  resting 
place.  I  am  perfectly  v/ell,  and  weigh  223  pounds,  but  my  voice 
is  broken  by  overuse.  And  in  China  I  can't  help  using  it.  In 
Europe,  where  I  do  not  know  the  languages,  I  suppose  I  can 
rest  it. 

Shanghai,  January,  1872. 

Yesterday  I  baptized  two.  One  is  a  convert  from  heathen- 
ism; the  other,  a  member  of  the  German  Consulate,  has  long 
been  dissatisfied  with  his  baptism  in  infancy.  He  came  to  me 
and  expressed  a  wish  to  obey  Christ  by  being  baptized  accord- 
ing to  the  scriptural  mode.  Several  other  Chinese  are  expected 
to  come  forward  soon.     Present  membership  is  fifty-two. 

Pastor  Wong  improves  in  preaching  all  the  time.  His  growth 
in  knowledge  and  grace  is  really  wonderful. 


i;'6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

I  have  not  spoken  above  a  whisper  since  September  20th. 
About  the  middle  of  this  month  I  shall  leave  for  Europe. 

The  work  at  Shanghai  appears  to  be  progressing  slowly,  but 
steadily.  Our  congregations  are  large  and  orderly.  Each 
year  shows  a  perceptible  growth  in  the  piety  and  discipline  of 
the  members.  They  are  trying  to  make  the  church  self-sup- 
porting this  year. 

We  have  before  us  a  long  and  trying  struggle  with  the  powers 
01  darkness.  The  officials  and  literary  class  are  averse  to  the 
spread  of  the  gospel.  They  are  convinced  that  its  tendency 
is  to  subvert  all  their  long  cherished  systems.  But  the  truth 
will  prevail.  Many  already  see  it  and  acquiesce  in  it.  The 
number  of  such  will  increase.  I  bless  God  for  what  I  have  been 
permitted  to  see. 

In  accordance  with  the  purpose  indicated  in  the  pre- 
ceding letters,  Dr.  Yates  left  Shanghai  for  Europe  about 

the  middle  of  January. 

Shanghai,  February,  1872. 
From  Mrs.  Yates: 

It  is  nearly  a  month  since  Mr.  Yates  started  on  his  wander- 
ings, feeling  sadder  than  I  have  ever  known  him  to  feel  before, 
yet  resolute  to  carry  out  the  physician's  advice.  His  plan  is 
to  go  up  the  Nile,  then  to  Rome,  and  afterwards  to  London, 
to  consult  Dr.  McKenzie  about  his  throat.  Perhaps  it  may 
result  in  the  recovery  of  his  voice.  Other  good  may  grow  out 
of  his  great  trouble.     We  can  only  wait  and  trust. 

It  will  be  my  endeavor  to  keep  up  the  interest  and  the  order 
as  steadily  as  if  Mr.  Yates  were  here.  With  the  sound  doctrine 
of  the  pastor  and  the  zealous  co-operation  of  the  deacons  and 
our  lay  preacher,  Wong-yih-san,  this  is  not  too  much  to  hope 
for. 

During  most  of  the  long  voyage  through  ihe  Indian 
Ocean  and  the  Suez  Canal,  Dr.  Yates  did  not  speak 
above  a  whisper.  "But,"  Mr.  M.  Lankford,  his  college 
chum,  says,  "while  the  steamer  was  lying  at  jiddah,  the 
seaport  of  Mecca,  and  w^hile,  one  day,  Yates  was  on  his 
knees,  praying,  his  voice  was  restored." 


Yates  The  Missionary.  177 

On  arriving  at  Naples,  he  could  write  (February  17, 
1872): 

It  is  with  pleasure  and  thanksgiving  that  I  report  the  resto- 
ration of  my  voice.  After  whispering  for  months,  I  can  now 
speak  in  my  natural  tone  of  voice. 

Paris,  September  29,  1872. 
To  his  Sister: 

Your  letter  of  April  5th  was  forwarded  to  me  from  China, 
and  received  a  short  time  ago.  1  was  glad  to  hear  once  more 
that  you  were  all  well.  I  am  here  in  the  finest  city  in  the  world, 
eleven  thousand  miles  from  home  and  dear  ones  in  China,  and 
three  thousand  miles  from  you  in  America.  Since  I  landed  in 
Suez,  on  the  Red  Sea,  where  Moses  crossed  with  the  Israel- 
ites, I  have  traveled  through  Egypt,  Italy,  Switzerland,  Bel- 
gium, and  France,  where  I  now  am.  And,  oh!  I  am  so  tired  of 
this  sort  of  Hfe.  I  am  among  strangers  all  the  time,  and  noth- 
ing to  do.  I  am  not  happy  unless  I  am  doing  something  or 
trying  to  do  something  to  make  others  happy.  My  voice  seems 
all  right  again,  and  I  am  well  and  handsome  as  a  picture.  I 
may  spend  the  winter  here,  or  I  may  take  it  into  my  head  to  go 
home.  There  is  no  telling  what  a  man  will  do  when  he  is 
desperate.  I  would  go  to  the  States  if  I  could  be  allowed  to  rest 
there,  but  that  would  be  impossible.  Every  preacher  would 
want  me  to  say  just  a  little  to  his  people.  So  I  suppose  it  will 
be  best  for  me  to  stop  among  strangers,  even  if  I  should  go  to 
the  States.  But  is  it  not  hard  that  a  man  has  to  shun  his 
friends? 

Meantime  his  faithful  compan-on,  "keepinp;  up  the  in 
terest  and  order"  in  Shanghai,  wrote  as  follows: 

Shanghai,  October  26,  1872. 
We  have  been  moving  on  this  year  in  an  uneventful  way. 
There  is  scarcely  any  perceptible  change.  Wong  preaches  well 
and  regularly.  And  the  members  of  his  flock  attend  regularly. 
Six  have  been  baptized.  These  are  from  our  station  at  Quinsan, 
two  days  journey  from  here. 
12 


J7S  Yates  The  Missionary. 

The  specialist  consulted  by  Dr.  Yates  in  Paris  nisisteJ 
'ihat  he  should  not  attempt  to  use  his  voice  in  public 
speaking  for  several  months.  The  remainder  of  the  year 
1872  was,  therefore,  spent  in  Europe.  In  January,  1873, 
he  arrived  in  the  United  States.  As  his  voice  demanded 
that  he  should  be  saved  from  his  friends,  he  could  not 
\enture  further  South  than  Riclmiond. 

In  April  he  left  San  Francisco  for  Shanghai,  and  com- 
pleted for  the  second  time  a  circuit  around  the  globe. 
And  while  making  the  voyage  he  wrote  as  follows: 

Nongasaki,  Japan,  May  i,  1873. 
To  Mrs.  Archibald  Thomas,  Richmond,  Va. : 

Here  I  am  within  two  days  of  home.  After  mature  delibera- 
tion as  to  what  I  should  do — go  to  Europe  aione,  remain  in 
the  States,  or  go  home — I  decided  to  seek  the  quiet  of  mind  and 
rest  which  nothing  but  my  own  home  could  give.  And,  having 
come  to  this  decision,  I  did  not  ask  advice  from  any  one. 

My  trip  of  seven  days  and  nights  by  rail  to  San  Francisco 
was  delightful.  We  had  neither  snow,  ice,  nor  rain.  Two  days 
after  I  pa^ssed,  there  was  a  heavy  snow  storm.  What  a  fortu- 
nate man  I  am! 

I  sailed  from  San  Francisco  on  the  Alaska,  April  ist,  and 
arrived  at  Yokohama  April  27th,  after  a  most  delightful  voyage. 
It  was  simply  a  pleasure  excursion;  the  sea  was  so  smooth  that 
we  could  hardly  feel  the  motion  of  the  boat.  At  Kobe  I  tel- 
egraphed to  Mrs.  Yates.  She  had,  up  to  that  time,  no  correct 
knowledge  of  my  whereabouts.  She  has  doubtless  been  think- 
ing of  me  as  being  in  or  near  France,  as  I  had  written  her  that 
I  should  probably  return  to  Europe. 

A  friend  just  from  Shanghai  told  me  that  Mrs.  Yates  is  well, 
and  my  daughter  is  expected  there  from  her  home  in  Hong 
Kong.  Don't  you  know  that  we  shall  be  a  happy  family?  I 
hope  so,  at  least  for  a  while.  I  do  not  know  that  I  shall  be  able 
to  remain  in  Shanghai  long.  My  voice  is  just  as  it  was  in 
Richmond.  It  will  not  stand  a  strain.  It  failed  me  after  a  short 
service  on  the  steamer  as  well  as  after  an  earnest  and  prolonged 
conversation.  If  I  cannot  remain  in  Shanghai,  I  shall  go  to 
Europe  again  and  settle  down  in  some  quiet  place.     But  I  know 


Yates  The  Mis^.ionary.  179 

not  what  I  should  do  till  I  consult  with   Mrs.  Yates.     She  is 

a  jewel  to  stand  so  long  by  our  mission  interests  here,  and  she 

deserves  to  be  consulted. 

Shanghai,  May  24,  1873. 

I  had  a  most  delightful  voyage  from  San  Francisco.  I  at- 
tempted a  service  on  the  S.  S.  Alaska,  but  my  voice  failed  me. 
And  now  that  I  am  at  home,  the  temptation  to  use  my  voice 
causes  me  more  anxiety  than  absence  from  home  did.  It  seems 
impossible  to  remain  in  China  and  not  talk  more  than  I  ought, 
even  if  I  do  not  preach.  But  I  am  here  now,  and,  if  possible, 
I  shall  remain. 

]\Iy  little  church  seems  to  be  in  a  healthy  condition.  They 
seem  to  see  the  importance  of  maintaining  the  purity  of  the 
church  by  rigid  discipline.  Two  were  excluded  and  nine  bap- 
tized during  my  absence. 

Shanghai,  September  11,   1873. 

I  have  not  attempted  to  preach  since  I  returned.  My  few 
short  talks  to  the  church  have  evidently  injured  my  voice.  I 
should  have  remained  away  longer. 

While  waiting  on  my  voice,  I  am  merely  superintending  the 
mission  work  and  acting  as  a  doorkeeper  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord. 

The  loss  of  my  voice,  which  threw  the  responsibility  of  the 
work  upon  Pastor  Wong,  has  been  the  means,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  of  making  him  a  very  good  preacher,  one  of  whom  we 
are  not  ashamed. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  Dr.  Yates  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Dr.  Wingate,  President  of  Wake  Forest  Col- 
lege, a  sum  of  money  to  be  used  in  helping  some  young 
ministers  to  secure  an  education.  Concerning  this  gift, 
and  the  outcome  of  it,  Dr.  Willingham  has  v/nttcn: 

While  in  North  Carolina,  his  heart  reached  out  to  China. 
When  in  China,  his  heart  reached  out  to  America.  A  poor, 
struggling  young  man  in  North  Carolina  was  told  that  a  friend 
would  help  him  go  to  college.  For  more  than  a  year  he  worked 
at  Wake  Forest  before  he  found  out  that  his  unknown  bene- 
factor was  Dr.  Yates,  who  wanted  to  help  some  young  preacher 
at   home.     More  than   three   years   was   this   aid   given   to   this 


i8o  Yates  The  Missionary. 

young  man,  and  then  to  others.     The  young  man  referred  to  is 

to-day  one  of  Richmond's  leading  pastors,  strong,  clear-headed, 

pious,  an  ardent  lover  of  missions,  a  member  of  the   Foreign 

Mission  Board. 

Shanghai,  October  lo,  1873. 

My  voice  is  gone.     Tn  order  to  save  my  life,  it  may  be  deemed 

necessary  for  me  to  leave  China  again.     But,  for  the  present, 

while  unable  to  preach,  I  have  accepted  the  position  of  United 

States  Vice   Consul   General.     As  I  need,  must  have,  and  v^ill 

have  another  chapel,  I  shall  proceed  to  have  it  built  at  my  ov^n 

expense,  appropriating  to  it  all  my  profits  as  Vice  Consul,  until 

the  work  is  completed. 

Shanghai,  February  23,  1874. 

I  am   sorry  to  have  to  report  that  m>   voice  is  much  worse. 

I  fear  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  remain  here.    The  Lord  reigns 

and  will  direct  all  things  for  his  own  glory. 

By  the  request  of  Dr.  Yates,  the  Shanghai  Baptist 
Church  was  represented  in  the  Southern  Baptist  Con- 
vention which,  in  May,  1874,  met  in  Texas.  The  church 
had  contributed  $800  to  the  objects  of  the  Convention. 
Converted  Seminole  Indians,  trom  Indian  Territory 
were  selected  to  represent  these  Chinese  Christians. 
Thus  was  presented  an  object  lesson  which  suggested 
the  essential  unity  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions. 

Shanghai,  September,  1874. 

In  spite  of  the  recent  riot  near  us,  we  are  all  well  and  un- 
molested. The  whole  block  of  buildings  just  above  us  was 
burned.  With  the  cries  of  thousands  of  enraged  men,  the 
roaring  of  the  fire  so  near  us,  and  the  multitude  of  Chinese 
families  seeking  places  of  security,  it  was  an  awful  scene.  As 
I  knew  that  the  Chinese  could  have  nothing  against  me,  we 
remained  quietly  at  home  in  the  midst  of  ij  all  without  harm 
or  alarm. 

The  condition  of  my  voice  remains  unchanged,   so   far  as   I 

can  tell. 

Shanghai,  October,  1874. 

My  new  church  will  be  completed  in  a  month;   also  a  nice 

parsonage  on  the  same  lot  for  Pastor  Wong. 


Sung  Way  Dong,  1898. 
Church  built  hv  Dr.  Yates  mainly  at  his  own  expense." 


Yates  The  Missionary.  i8i 

I  have  been  urged  to  accept  the  appointment  of  Secretary 
of  Legation  at  Peking,  but  I  have  no  ambition  or  mclination  in 
that  direction,  and  have  so  informed  the  Consul  General. 

Shanghai,  March  i,   1875. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Some  sixteen  months  ago  I  resolved  to  work  out  the  amount 
necessary  to  build  the  church  which  was  required  for  the  best 
interests  01  my  Mission.  To  accomplish  this  end,  I  accepted 
the  positions  of  United  States  Vice  Consul  General  and  In- 
terpreter at  the  Consulate  General. 

I  have  now  nearly  earned  the  requisite  amount,  and  I  am 
happy  to  say  that  the  church  is  completed.  It  was  opened  for 
public  worship  on  February  14th.  It  was  filled  to  overflowing 
three  times  that  day,  and  five  new  converts  were  baptized  in 
the  new  baptistry. 

The  building  cost  $3,320.  Others  contributed  $828.  The  rest 
1  provided.  As  it  was  built  mainly  at  my  expense,  I  planned 
it  after  my  own  heart,  and  it  is,  in  every  respect,  perfect.  It 
is  lighted  with  gas.  Messrs.  Russell  &  Co.  have  just  presented 
me  with  a  five  hundred  pound  bell  for  it. 

A  few  days  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  Miss  Lottie 
Moon,  of  Tungchow,  who  had  been  present  at  the  dedi- 
cation services,  wrote: 

On  the  Sabbath  of  the  Chinese  New  Year.  Dr.  Yates  had  the 
satisfaction  of  dedicating  his  new  church.  Such  is  his  modesty 
that  he  will  not  write  how  nobly  and  successfully  he  has  worked 
to  build  up  a  true  Christian  church.  The  new  building  is,  per- 
haps,   the    most    complete    in    all    its    appointments    of    any    in 

China. 

Shanghai,  December  29,  1875. 

To  his  Sister: 

You  will  be  pleased  to  know  that  my  voice  seems  to  be  all 
right  again.  And  I  am  hard  at  work  preaching  and  translat- 
ing the  Scriptures.  I  have  finished  my  new  church,  a  photo- 
graph of  which  I  will  send  you  by  the  next  mail.  You  will 
see  me  and  my  big  black  dog  standing  at  the  gate.  It  was  ded- 
icated in  February,  and  since  that  time  I  have  baptized  twenty 


iS2  Yates  The  Missionary. 

new  converts.  That  is  quite  as  much  as  some  of  your  preachers 
have  done  in  a  Christian  land.  Here  it  is  all  sin.  darkness, 
and  idolatry. 

I  wish  you  could  see  my  new  house  full  of  Chinese,  and  hear 
me  talk  to  them  in  this  strange  language.  I  know  you  would 
be  pleased  and  amused,  if  not  instructed.  I  worked  out,  and 
paid  out  of  my  own  pocket  a  little  less  than  three  thousand 
dollars.  So  I  may  be  excused  for  thinking  much  of  it,  for  I 
drew  the  plan  and  superintended  the  work  from  first  to  last. 
And  I  "think  it  is  a  real  nice  church. 

You  write  of  the  long  separation  from  my  family.  Well, 
that  is  the  lot  of  missionaries.  Whether  we  were  born  heroes 
or  not,  we  learn  by  conflict  with  difficulties  to  become  such. 

Is  Mr.   N getting  old?     Tell  him  that  I   am  as  straight 

as  an  Indian  and  as  handsome  as  a  beau.  I  don't  intend  to  be 
old  at  eighty. 

At  the  close  of  this  year  Dr.  Yates  was  able  to  say 
that  his  voice  was  entirely  restored,  and  that,  for  several 
months,  he  had  been  able  to  preach  regularly.  This  be- 
ing the  case,  and  his  chapel  having  been  paid  for,  he 
resigned  his  position  as  Vice  Consul  General.  This  step 
was  taken  at  the  very  time  when  he  was  offered  the  more 
responsible  and  profitable  position  of  Consul  General. 
He  has  given  his  reasons  for  it. 

I  could  not  accept  without  giving  up  my-  missionary  work — 
my  life  work.  No  office,  no  gift  of  the  government,  could  in- 
duce me  to  do  that  while  I  am  able  to  preach  and  translate. 
1  resigned,  therefore,  the  honors  and  the  emolument. 

If  he  had  left  behind  him  no  other  words,  these  alone 
would  be  sufificient  to  reveal  the  stuff  of  which  the  man 
was  made  and  the  native  hue  of  his  resolution. 


Yates  The  Miss-ionary.  183 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

I  AM   IN  DEAD   EARNEST 1876-1877 AGE   57-58. 


IKE  an  undertone  in  the  minor  key  there  runs 
through  many  of  the  letters  in  this  chapter, 
and  more  and  more  until  the  end,  a  strain  of 
_^_^_  sadness.  There  is — we  can  see  and  feel  it  now; 
alas  that  we  could  not  then! — something  almost  heart- 
rending in  the  plaintive  appeals  made  year  after  year 
by  Dr.  Yates  for  men  to  come  and  labor  by  his  side. 
From  the  time  that  Dr.  Crawford  left  Shanghai,  in  1863, 
until  the  arrival  of  Messrs.  Herring  and  Bryan  in  1886— 
twenty-three  years — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yates  were  practically 
alone.  Mr.  Walker,  it  is  true,  went  to  him  in  1882,  but 
his  health  soon  failed,  and  he  was  compelled  to  leave. 

The  writer  of  these  paragraphs  read  a  few  of  these 
'etters  when,  at  the  time  of  their  reception,  they  were 
published  in  religious  papers.  And,  as  he  read,  he  was 
:onscious  of  a  desire  that  the  plea  of  the  solitary  toiler 
down  in  the  dark  minf  might  be  heeded.  Other  pleas, 
however,  because  they  were  nearer,  seemed  louder  and 
n'iOre  insistent.  But,  as  he  has  read  these  letters  con- 
secutivelv,  these  and  manv  others  which  he  mav  not 
publish,  he  has  been  made  to  see  it  all  in  a  new  light, 
and  to  feel  it  with  a  force  that  is  almost  overwhelming. 
Again  and  again  he  has  been  compelled  by  a  swelling 
tide  of  emotion  to  stop  in  the  midst  of  the  preparation  of 
this  volume.  For  who  could  prepare  a  life  of  Yates  in 
cold  blood?  The  cry  has  arisen  in  his  heart:  ''Oh,  Christ, 
forgive  us  that  we  let  thy  servant — and  ours — struggle 
so  many  years  alone  and  single  i^anded  against  the  over- 
whelming odds." 

For  were  there  not  in  the  Baptist  churches  of  the 
South  a  hundred  men  who  would  have  been  glad  to  go 


i84  Yates  The  Missionary. 

and  labor  by  his  side  if  the  duty  had  been  laid  upon  thei^ 
hearts  and  the  means  had  been  provided?  And  weni 
there  not  in  those  days  a  hundred  Baptists  in  the  South 
who  could  each  have  given,  though  with  sacrifice,  per- 
haps, a  thousand  dollars?  And  a  thousand  who  could 
have  given  their  hundreds?  And  a  hundred  thousand 
who  could  have  given  a  dollar  each? 

The  lone  missionary  saw  it  ail  in  clear  vision.  Short- 
sighted and  blurred  was  our  view  of  the  duty  and  the  op- 
portunity. 

It  is  not  for  us  to  say  what  might  have  been.  Yet 
one  cannot  refrain  from  imagining  what  might  have 
been  accomplished,  what  churches  might  have  been 
gathered,  what  forces  might  have  been  equipped  and 
organized,  what  enginery  of  spiritual  warfare  might  have 
been  planted  under  the  leadership  of  this  wise  and  vigor- 
ous man. 

We  cannot  get  back  into  the  last  generation  and  do 
what  we  then  left  undone.  But  it  is  not  too  late  for  u-:; 
lo  learn  not  to  leave  undone  our  manifest  duty  in  this 
generation. 

Shanghai,  February,   1876. 
To  tha  Recorder: 

From  the  dedication  of  my  new  church,  in  February.  1875, 
to  the  end  of  the  year,  twenty  new  members  were  added  by 
baptism.  To-morrow  I  shall  baptize  a  man  of  some  influence. 
a  school  teacher.  Chang,  the  giant,  has  not  yet  come  forward 
to  connect  himself  with  the  church.  I  think  that  his  trust  is  in 
the  Saviour. 

These  results  may  seem  small  to  you.  I  consider  them  equal 
to  a  revival  at  home  with  a  thousand  converts. 

Shanghai,  April,  1876. 

I  have  been  able,  for  several  months,  to  labor  hard  on  a 
revision  of  Matthew's  gospel,  in  the  spoken  language  of  the 
people  of  this  plain,  a  dialect  spoken  by  forty  milHons. 

I  have  built  for  Mrs.  Yates  a  school  house,  where,  in  addition 
to  her  day  school,  in  which  she  is  doing  good  service,  she  meets 
the  women  for  Bible  lessons. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  185 

The  congregations  at  the  new  church  have  been  large  and 
quite  regular  three  times  each  week.  Rev.  Wong  Ping  San 
has  preached  well.  During  the  year  we  have  added  twenty  to 
our  number  by  experience  and  baptism.  The  present  member- 
ship is  seventy-two.  See  Seen  Sang,  stationed  at  Kwinsan,  has 
constructed  a  tent,  which  he  moves  from  one  village  to  another 
He  preaches  to  or  teaches  those  who  call  on  him  at  his  taber- 
nacle. 

The  prospect  everywhere  is  good  for  a  steady  increase  of  the 
work  abroad;  but  the  apparent  want  of  missionary  spirit  at 
home  causes  us  the  deepest  solicitude  for  the  future  of  our  life 
work. 

Shall  we  take  no  part  in  giving  Japan  and  the  interior  cities 
of  this  great  Empire  the  gospel  of  Christ? 

Shanghai,  July  (?),   1876. 

A  wave  of  superstition,  sending  terror  into  the  hearts  of  all 
classes  of  Chinese,  and  causing  the  greatest  consternation,  has 
swept  over  several  provinces.  Its  manifestation  was  various 
in  several  localities.  In  the  region  of  Shanghai,  the  people 
professed  to  see  a  black  cat. 

The  police  caught  two  men  who  were  circulating  the  disturb- 
ing rumors  about  the  black  cat,  and  brought  them  for  punish- 
ment to  the  mixed  court  where  I  sit  with  a  Chinese  magistrate 
twice  a  week.  They  were  sentenced  to  wear  the  cangue,  and 
the  Inspector  of  Police  said  that  he  would  have  a  black  cat 
painted  upon  it  to  terrify  others.  I  suggested  that  the  cat  should 
be  painted  with  its  head  off,  so  that  the  people  could  see  that 
it  was  powerless  to  do  any  more  harm. 

Strange  to  say,  it  was  a  success.  From  that  day  the  rumors 
ceased;  and  I  was  highly  complimented  for  my  sagacity  in  quiet- 
ing the  minds  of  hundreds  of  thousands.  Elsewhere,  the  people 
suffered  beyond  description,  and  did  not  dare  to  sleep  at  night, 
lest  they  should  be  crushed  by  demons.  In  some  places,  the 
native  Christians,  not  being  afTected  by  the  rumors,  were 
charged  with  being  the  cause  of  the  demoniac  activity,  and  were 
slain  and  their  chapels  destroyed. 

Shanghai  was  saved  from  all  these  calamities  by  the  decapita- 
tion of  an  imaginary  cat. 


1 86  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Shanghai,  December,  1876. 

I  have  tried  to  emulate  the  spirit  of  the  many  noble  enter- 
prises at  home  this  Centennial  year,  but  1  find  it  hard  to  be 
enthusiastic  all  alone.  I  have  not  endowed  a  college,  but  I  have 
supported  myself  by  being  Interpreter  for  the  United  States, 
have  built  a  church,  and  a  school  house  costing  five  hundred 
dollars,  and  have  organized  a  school  for  boys,  which  is  endowed 
for  my  life  or  stay  in  Shanghai. 

I  look  upon  the  past  year  as  one  of  great  success.  The  church 
seems  to  grow  stronger  on  the  milk  of  the  truth.  Some  are 
ready  to  go  into  the  country  on  Sabbath  afternoons  and  tell 
the  people  of  the  great  salvation.  Having  committed  to  memory 
the  sermon  on  the  mount,  they  have  much  to  talk  about. 

We  have  three  services  each  week  at  the  Baptist  church,  a 
prayer  meeting  at  the  native  pastor's  house,  at  my  house  a 
theological  class,  and  one  service  each  at  the  church  in  the  city 
and  at  the  new  chapel  in  the  country.  These  have  all  been  well 
attended,  and  I  hope  for  large  results.  Our  membership  is 
eighty.     I  have  baptized  seven. 

Four  thousand  copies  of  my  translation  of  Matthew  have  been 
published,  and  I  have  a  hymn  book  of  seventy  h>mns  going 
through  the  press.  I  have  translated  to  the  twentieth  chapter 
of  Acts. 

It  seems  useless  to  hope  for  reinforcements  while  the  churches 
do  not  support  the  few  now  in  the  field.  My  only  hope  is  that 
God  will  revive  his  people. 

Shanghai,  January  16,  1877. 
To  the  N.  C.  Bap.  State  Convention: 

In  view  of  the  gross  darkness  in  this  great  Empire,  and  of 
the  fact  that  I  am  a  child  of  the  Convention,  I  feel  that  I  have 
a  right  to  express  my  surprise  and  disappointment  at  the  neg- 
lect of  Foreign  Missions  by  the  Convention.  When  I  left  in 
1846,  the  brethren  said  to  me:  "You  go  down  into  the  well, 
and  we  will  hold  the  rope." 

They  kept  their  promise  for  a  while.  The  Raleigh  Associa- 
tion contributed  for  my  work  from  $600  to  $800  a  year,  for  many 
years;  but,  shall  I  say  it?   after  a  while  they  let  go  the  rope. 

Notwithstanding  that  this  Mission  has  been  treated  as  a  "lost 


Yates  The  Missionary.  187 

cause,"  I  have  held  the  fort  for  many  years.     And  the  prospect 
was  never  more  hopeful  than  it  is  to-day. 

Will  not  the  pastors  try  to  interest  their  people  in  preaching 
the  gospel  to  every  creature?  Will  they  not  read  my  letters 
to  them?  I  feel  like  embracing  with  a  most  cordial  shake  of 
both  hands,  every  brother  in  North  Carolina.  I  want  to  talk 
to  them;  and  I  can  only  do  it  by  writing. 

The  following-  letter,  which  was  publi-lied  in  the 
Biblical  Recorder,  is  one  of  the  many  by  wlii  -h  Dr. 
Yates  sought  to  impart  information  and  stimulate  in- 
jercst  among  his  brethren  at  home.  This  vvill  explain 
his  appeal  in  the  preceding  letter  as  to  the  reading  o^" 
liis  letters. 

Shanghai,  February  13,  1877. 

Shanghai  is  on  the  border  of  the  Yang-tsz  River  plain,  which 
is  considered  the  garden  spot  of  China,  and  is  the  seaport  of  a 
score  of  great  inland  cities.  Among  them  is  Soochow,  whose 
splendor  long  since  gave  rise  to  the  proverb:  "Above,  there  is 
heaven;  below,  there  is  Soochow." 

More  than  four  hundred  years  ago  this  vast  plain  was  inter- 
sected by  tidal  canals,  like  the  roads  in  a  densely  populated 
region  at  home.  It  is  dotted  wath  cities,  towns,  villages,  and 
hamlets.  All  the  cities  have  walls  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet  high 
and  fifteen  feet  thick. 

The  hamlets  and  villages  are  so  close  together  that  the  trees 
about  them  and  about  their  water  ponds  and  graves  give  the 
plain,  every  available  foot  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  the 
appearance  of  a  well  wooded  country. 

There  are  in  this  plain  and  its  cities  ten  idol  temples  to  one 
church  in  our  Christian  land.  These  temples  cost  as  much  as 
or  more  than  our  churches  do.  The  people  contribute  the 
money  to  build  these  temples  and  to  build  and  gild  the  idols. 
A  single  idol,  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  high,  costs  as  much  as  many 
of  our  country  churches. 

The  smaller  idols  are  carved  out  of  blocks  of  camphor  wood. 
The  large,  immovable  idols  are  built  of  plaster  and  lacquer 
around  a  wooden  skeleton.     When  it  has  been  gilded,  worship 


i88  Yates  The  Missionary. 

before  the  new  god  is  inaugurated  with  pubHc  ceremony  and 
music,  and  multitudes  prostrate  themselves  before  it. 

Not  only  are  the  temples  filled  with  idols,  but  every  house  in 
every  city  and  hamlet  has  its  household  shrine.  An  accurate 
computation  of  all  the  idols  and  objects  of  worship  would  ap- 
proximate half  the  population  of  the  Empire.  And  these  mil- 
lions of  gods  constitute  the  powers  that  be,  controlling  the 
government  and  all  domestic  and  business  relations,  through 
superstition. 

Paul  saw  at  Athens  a  city  wholly  given  to  idolatry.  Here  the 
whole  land  is  full  of  idols. 

Shanghai,  April   19,   1877. 
To  the  Recorder: 

I  see  that  Brother  Harrell  comments  on  the  liberality  of  the 
Durham  Church  in  contributing  an  average  of  $10.29  each  in 
1876.  That  is  doing  well.  If  all  churches  would  do  as  much, 
the  Old  Ship  of  Zion,  instead  of  being  becalmed  and  tossed 
by  the  ground  swell  of  worldliness,  would  be  speeding  under 
full  sail  to  its  destined  haven. 

As  Brother  Harrell  thinks  that  such  liberality,  when  known, 
will  incite  others  to  do  more,  I  will  state  that  the  Shanghai 
Baptist  Church  contributed  during  the  same  year  an  average 
of  $29.55  for  each  of  its  eighty  members. 

Although  the  grace  of  liberality  had  been  developed 
to  a  high  degree  among  the  native  Christians,  the  larg'; 
average  referred  to  above  was  mainly  due  to  the  gener- 
ous gifts  of  Dr.  Yates  himself.  These  gifts  v/ere  recog 
jiized  bv  the  S.  B.  Convention  when,  at  its  mee'.ing  ir; 
New  Orleans,  in  May,  1877,  it  declared  that,  "The  liber- 
ality of  P)rother  M.  T.  Yates  in  relinquishing  his  salary, 
r.nd  in  building  a  chapel  and  school  house,  ovight  to 
itimulate  the  churches  to  corresponding  libcrahtjv." 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Protestant  Mission- 
aiies  in  China  met  in  Shanghai,  May  loth,  1S77,  and  re- 
mained in  session  fourteen  da3'S.  This  was  probably 
the  most  notable  assemblege  of  missionaries  wh  'h,  up 
10  that  time,  had  gathered  together  since  the  day  01 
Pentecost.     There  were  nearly  one   hundred   and   fiftv 


Yates  The  Misl^ionary.  189 

members,  the  representatives  of  almost  every  mission 
station  and  of  every  evangelical  denominanon  in  the 
Chinese  Empire. 

In  this  Conference,  Dr.  Yates  presented  an  elaborate 
and  able  monograph  on  "Ancestral  Worshi;,).''  He  also 
participated  freely  in  the  discussion  of  a  number  of  other 
subjects. 

Before  the  conference  adjourned.  Dr.  Yates  and  Re^. 
C.  W.  Mateer  volunteered  to  assume  the  financial  re- 
sponsibility of  publishing  the  proceedings  of  the  con 
ference.  their  proposition  was  gratefully  accepted,  and 
the  result  was  a  royal  octavo  volume  of  five  hundred 
pages.  The  book  was  published  under  the  personal 
supervision  of  Dr.  Yates,  who  was  made  chairman  of  the- 
editorial  committee.  It  is  a  storehouse  of  unique  in- 
formation in  regard  to  China,  the  Chinese,  and  rdssion 
methods  of  everv  kind. 

Dr.  Muirhead  writes  (February  19,  1897)  from  Shang- 

iiai: 

Dr.  Yates'  essay  on  Ancestral  Worship  has  often  been  re- 
ferred to  as  an  admirable  compendium  of  the  whole  theme, 
giving  a  view  of  its  various  bearings  on  the  condition  of  the 
people,  the  expenses  connected  with  the  practice,  and  tne  diffi- 
culties entailed  by  it  in  the  spread  of  Christianity. 

He  also  did  useful  work  in  the  revisal  and  publicacion  of  the 
other  papers  contained  in  the  report  of  the  confei-ence.  He 
told  me  that  the  publication  involved  him  in  heavy  pecuniary 
loss,  but  that  he  undertook  it  for  the  good  of  the  cause  which 
was  near  his  heart. 

Soon  after  this  meeting,  a  Presbyterian  missionary, 
who  had  been  present,  and  who  had  returned  to  this 
country,  said  to  Rev.  T.  H.  Pritchard,  at  his  home  in 
Raleigh:  "Dr.  Yates  is  physicall},  mentally,  and  ^piritu- 
■sVy  head  and  shoulders  above  any  English  speaking 
missionary  in  Asia."  Dr.  Pritchard  used  10  relate  ii^ 
connection  with  this  testimony  a  conversation  in  which 
Dr.  J.  B.  Jeter  said  that  he  regarded  Dr.  Yates  as  the 
aDlest  missionary  w^hom  he  had  ever  seen.    V/hen  asked 


ico  Yates  The  Missionary. 


y 


:f  he  had  ever  seen  Judson,  Dr.  Jeter  repHed:  "Yes,  I 
knew  Judson,  but  Yates  has  more  mind  than  Judson." 

Shanghai,  May  19,  1877. 

The  Missionary  Conference  is  still  in  session,  and  is  thrill- 
ingly  interesting.  The  essays  written  in  different  parts  of 
China  and  read  here  from  day  to  day,  as  well  as  t!:e  speeches 
made,  are  a  unit  on  one  point — that  the  native  churches  must 
become  self-supporting  as  soon  as  possible,  and  that  foreign 
money  should  be  used  only  for  aggressive  work. 

The  average  contribution  of  my  church,  per  head,  is  more 
than  double  that  of  any. other  church  yet  reported. 

I  offered  a  resolution  for  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  from 
each  Mission  in  China,  to  draft  an  appeal  to  the  Mission  Boards, 
colleges,  churches,  and  religious  papers  of  the  world  for  more 
men  and  women  for  China. 

The  foregoing  letter  refers  to  the  policy  -X  throwing; 
native  Christians  on  their  own  resources  as  soon  as 
possible  for  the  support  of  their  native  pastors  and  for 
meeting-  all  other  church  expenses.  Throaghout  his 
missionary  career,  Dr.  Yates  strongly  em.pliasized  th.^ 
importance  of  pursuing  this  course.  When  the  ^ubject 
was  under  discussion  in  the  Conference,  he  said: 

I  have  been  a  missionar}'  long  enough  to  perceive  that  self- 
support  is  necessary  to  the  life  and  growth  of  '.he  native 
churches,  and  I  have  for  years  been  striving  to  bring  my  church 
up  to  that  standard.  And  I  am  happy  to  say  that  l  have  suc- 
ceeded beyond  my  expectations.  At  one  time  my  native  church 
had  an  endowment  of  something  over  300  taels  (about  $450), 
but  they  managed  to  lose  it.  I  did  not  regret  it  very  much, 
for  a  fund  of  this  sort  is  not  conducive  to  the  growth  of  a 
benevolent  spirit  in  the  churches. 

I  am  satisfied  that  a  free  use  of  foreign  money  to  supply  every 
want  of  the  church  has  a  tendency  to  divert  the  minds  of  its 
members  from  the  real  object  of  our  mission  to  a  line  of  busi- 
ness. And,  while  it  may  curtail  the  apparent  growth  of  some 
churches,  I  think  that  we  cannot  too  soon  take  steps  to  let  it 
be  known  that  there  is  no  business  in  becoming  a  Christian. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  191 

Shanghai,  June  13,  1877. 
To  the  Recorder: 

The  General  Missionary  Conference,  which  convened  here 
May  loth,  and  closed  May  24th,  was  the  most  remarkable  meet- 
ing ihat  I  have  ever  attended.  Perfect  harmony  and  the  best 
religious  feeling  prevailed  to  the  close.  The  forty  essays  read 
and  the  discussions  which  followed  each,  were  of  a  high  order, 
and  covered  a  wide  range  of  subjects. 

On  the  seventh  day  of  the  Conference,  I  presented  resolution'^ 
that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  draft  an  appeal  to  the  Chris- 
tian world  for  more  men  and  women  for  China.  It  was  hailed 
as  a  happy  thought,  and  special  prayer  was  offered  for  God's 
blessing  upon  the  appeal.  I  have  had  four  thousand  copies  of 
it  printed  at  my  own  expense,  for  circulation  by  the  different 
Mission  Boards  among  all  the  centers  of  influence  in  their 
several  connections. 

The  Conference  was  an  era  in  our  lives.  Never  before  was 
there  such  interest  felt  in  missions  to  this  land  as  is  ielt  to-day 
by  the  missionaries  in  China.  Seeing  so  many,  and  learning  to 
love  each  other,  we  have  been  made  to  feel  that  we  are  not 
alone  in  contending  with  the  surging  tide  of  heathenism. 

Shanghai,  June  30,   1877. 
I  enjoy  my  freedom  from  consular  and  mixed  court  work.     I 
have   received   most   flattering   letters    from   the    United    States 
Minister  and  Consul  General  on  the  occasion  of  my  resignation 
of  the  important  post  which  I  have  occupied. 

Shanghai,  July  25,  1877. 

Southern   Baptists  have  now  only  four  men  in   China.     The 

reduction  of  our  Missions  to  a  one  man  power  at  each  has  a 

depressing  effect  upon  that  one  man,  upon  the  native  church, 

and  upon  the  people. 

Shanghai,  August  2,   1877. 

Notwithstanding  the  apparently  insurmountable  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  progress,  and  the  fewness  of  the  laborers,  inade- 
quately sustained,  our  real  progress  is  very  great,  though,  as 
visible  to  the  churches  at  home,  very  small.  This  has,  I  fear, 
discouraged  some  whose  faith  in  regard  to  the  China  Missions 
is  not  very  long. 


192  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Courage,  brother!  It  is  necessary  to  dig  deep  and  lay  the 
foundation  of  God's  building  on  the  rock. 

Shanghai,  August  28,  1877. 
Mrs.  Yates  to  Dr.  Tupper,  Cor.  Sec: 

Much  is  said  about  the  hardships  of  missionary  life — much 
that  is  true  and  much  that  is  exaggerated,  but  it  seems  to  me 
that  the  Secretary  of  our  Board  has  even  a  harder  task  than  the 
missionaries  whose  cause  he  pleads.  I  think  that  if  I  were  in 
his  place,  I  should  give  up.  I  should  say:  "If  Christians  are 
willing  to  help  to  send  the  gospel  to  the  heathen,  they  will  give 
without  waiting  to  be  begged."  Besides,  who  values  a  gift 
that  does  not  come  from  the  heart?  I  could  not  beg,  but  have 
I  not  Bible  authority  for  saying  that  none  but  free-will  offer- 
ings are  acceptable  to  the  Lord? 

Shanghai,  September  12,   1877. 

This  is  the  thirtieth  anniversary  of  our  arrival  at  Shanghai. 
At  first  the  way  was  in  the  dark;  but  every  successive  decade 
lias  shown  marked  progress  in  our  work.  To-day  the  mission- 
ary influence  in  China  is  a  mighty  power.  The  leaven  of  divine 
truth  has  been  deposited  in  this  mass  of  error  and  corruption, 
and  its  irresistible  power  is  beginning  to  be  seen  and  felt  far 
and  wide. 

The  Bible  has  been  translated  into  the  literary  or  dead  lan- 
guage of  the  whole  country,  and  also  rendered  into  the  spoken 
languages  or  dialects  of  many  localities,  a  style  in  which  the 
Chinese  have  not  been  in  the  habit  of  making  books. 

Places  of  worship  have  been  secured,  where  multitudes  come 
at  the  sound  of  the  church  bell  to  hear  the  word  of  God. 
Churches  of  living  witnesses  have  been  established.  Tens  of 
thousands  have  been  convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  gospel,  who 
have  not  had  the  moral  courage  to  make  public  confession  of 
their  faith  in  Christ. 

Thirty  years  ago,  when  the  prospect  was  so  dark,  and  the 
darkness  seemed  so  impenetrable,  I  would  have  compromised 
for  what  I  now  behold  as  my  life  work.  Now,  my  demand 
would  be  for  nothing  less  than  a  complete  surrender. 

I  am  in  dead  earnest  about  this  matter;  for  I  fully  realize  that 
God  is  in   Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,  and  has 


Yates  The  Missionary.  193 

committed  unto  us  the  word  of  reconciliation,  and  that  he  has 
commanded  us  to  make  it  known  among  all  nations. 

I  not  only  do  not  regret  devoting  my  life  to  the  mission  work, 
but  I  rejoice  that  he  has  counted  me  worthy  to  be  his  ambas- 
sador to  the  greatest  Empire  on  the  globe.  Now,  my  one  desire 
is  that  he  would  give  me  wisdom  to  do  his  will  and  be  a  faithful 
steward.  The  Lord  be  praised  for  all  his  goodness  and  mercy 
to  us  in  our  hours  of  darkest  affliction. 

Shanghai,  October  2,  1877. 

The  volume  of  "Records  of  the  General  Conference"  is  pro- 
gressing favorably  and  we  hope  to  complete  it  by  the  end  of  the 
year.  It  will  be  a  work  of  great  value.  When  I  come  to  my 
Essay  on  Ancestral  Worship,  I  think  that  I  shall  have  an  edi- 
tion   struck   off   for   circulation   at   home.      It   might   do    much 

good. 

Shanghai,  November  5,   1877. 

To  the  Durham  Baptist  Church: 

I  do  not  know  many  of  your  faces;  but  I  know  that  you  are 
co-workers  in  obeying  the  Lord's  command,  "Go  ye,  therefore, 
and  teach  all  nations."  This  is  addressed  to  every  Christian 
from  the  day  it  was  uttered  until  now.  It  does  not  mean  that 
you  should  all  come  to  China  or  go  to  Africa.  To  you,  it  means 
begin  at  Durham.  You  have  commenced  to  obey  this  command 
by  taking  steps  to  build  a  suitable  church  and  by  organizing 
Sunday  schools.  This  is  applying  to  religious  matters  and  the 
command  of  Christ  the  same  sort  of  common  sense  that  men 
generally  apply  to  their  business  affairs.  This  is  just  what  we 
should  do. 

The  greatest  happiness  that  it  is  possible  for  a  man  or  a 
woman  to  enjoy  in  this  life  is  found  in  obeying  Christ.  Will 
not  each  of  you  take  the  advice  of  one  on  the  other  side  of  the 
globe,  and  ask  God  in  secret  what  he  will  have  you  to  do? 
And  then,  when  you  feel  it  to  be  your  duty  to  do  anything, 
to  pray  in  your  families,  to  teach  in  the  Sunday  school,  to  talk 
about  Christ  to  others,  begin,  and  God  will  help  you. 

Shanghai,  November  24,  1877. 
My   congregations   continue   large,   and   I   am   working   hard 
13 


194  Yates  The  Missionary. 

and  am  waiting  for  a  blessing  from  on  high.  I  am  trying  to 
teach  our  m.embers  the  first  principles  of  our  pure  and  holy 
religion,  and  thus  fit  them  for  more  effective  work  among  their 
own  countrymen. 

I  have  not  been  well  for  three  months,  and  have  lost  flesh. 
But  I  hope  to  get  through  the  winter  all  right.  Then,  if  I 
am  not  well,  I  may  take  my  family  to  Europe  for  a  change, 
and  then  return  for  a  last  long  and  strong  pull. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

BETTER  ORE   IS   STRUCK 1878-1879 AGE   59-60. 


EVERAL  letters  which  will  not  be  publishe-l 
here  disclose  the  fact  that  Dr.  Yates'  health 
was  in  even  more  critical  condition  than  would 
be  inferred  from  the  letters  in  the  last  chapter. 
For  medical  treatment  and  the  rest  of  a  sea  voyage,  he 
'eft  Shanghai  in  December.  This  trip  was  entirely  at 
his  own  expense.  He  arrived  at  San  Francisco  on 
January  17th,  1878,  and  there  he  was  relieved  by  the 
treatment  of  a  homeopathic  physician.  That  a  thorough 
cure  had  not  been  effected,  however,  will  appear  later 
on.  He  sailed  for  Shanghai  on  April  ist,  without  hav- 
ing crossed  the  continent  to  visit  his  friends  in  the  East. 

San  Francisco,  February  22,  1878. 
You  ask,  "Shall  we  not  see  you  in  the  East?"  I  think  not. 
"Nor  at  the  Convention  in  May?"  No,  I  think  not.  i.  I  cannot 
afiford  to  add  to  the  expense  of  my  trip.  2.  I  cannot  afford  to 
stay  away  any  longer  than  is  absolutely  necessary.  I  should 
enjoy  it,  if  I  did  not  have  a  great  work  on  my  hands  and  no 
one  to  relieve  me.     I  must  work  on  till  I  wear  out. 

San  Francisco,  April  i,  1878. 
The  ulcer  from  which   I   have  suffered  so   much  has  passed 
away.     It  was  the  result  of  the   splinter  of  a  bone  of  a  fowl, 
which  had  been  swallowed.     The  trouble  was  of  a  dangerous 


Yates  The  Missionary.  195 

character.      I    am    thankful   that    I    can    return    at    once    to    my 
family  and  work.     The  Lord  be  praised. 

Yokohama,  April  23,   1878. 

We  arrived  safely  to-day.     I  leave  for  Shanghai  to-morrow. 

Since    the    12th,   we   have   had   to   encounter    a    succession    of 

westerly  gales  of  wind.     They  were  severe  enough  to  force  the 

steamer  to  heave  to  for  forty-eight  hours.     Last  Saturday  night 

no  one  on  board  could  sleep  for  a  moment.     Our  steamer,  the 

largest  in  the  world  except  the  Great  Eastern,  was  tossed  by 

the  waves  in  a  frightful  manner.     My  health  has  steadily  im- 

pro\  ed  during  the  voyage. 

Shanghai,  May  24,  1878. 

I  arrived  at  home  May  2nd  suffering  from  a  serious  relapse. 
I  am  now  happy  to  say  that  by  vigorous  treatment,  in  accord- 
ance with  advice,  I  am  about  well. 

I  have  resumed  my  labors,  both  in  the  pulpit  and  in  the  prep- 
aration of  books,  and  hope  to  do  moderate  work. 

Shanghai,  June  6,   1878. 
To  Rev.  T.  H.  Pritchard,  D.D.: 

On  the  morning  of  May  nth,  I  telegraphed  to  ^he  Conven- 
tion in  Nashville,  Matt.  9:  36.  The  next  day  I  received  my 
reply,  "Ezra  lo:  4.,  Boyce."  Taking  into  account  the  difference 
in  time,  this  telegram  reached  Shanghai  in  thirty  minutes  after 
it  was  sent  from  Nashville.  It  had  to  be  sent  from  New  York. 
from  London,  from  Bombay,  from  Calcutta,  from  Singapore, 
and  from  Hong  Kong.  The  way  was  clear  for  that  telegram. 
It  brought  speedy  comfort  to  my  heart  and  gave  me  courage 
to  hold  the  fort  a  little  longer. 

I  hope  my  little  electric  shock  did  some  good  in  the  Con- 
vention. If  the  churches  do  not  move  vigorously  and  speedily, 
their  missions  in  China  will  soon  be  among  the  things  of  the 
past.  The  last  man  at  each  station  has  been  in  the  last  ditch 
for  years.  We  are  powerless  for  aggressive  work,  while  the 
field  is  white  unto  the  harvest.  All  that  we  can  do  is  to  hold 
on  and  pray  for  laborers. 

But  Jesus  is  faithful.  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  always."  That 
promise  upon  which  I  embarked  from  Boston  in  1847  is  as 
buoyant  to-day  as  it  was  then. 


196  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Shanghai,  June  8,  1878. 
To  his  Sister: 

Have  I  told  you  that  I  arrived  at  home  May  2nd  and  found 
Lizzie  well,  and  that  three  days  before  I  arrived,  my  old  trouble 
returned  upon  me?  I  am  about  well  again.  Mrs.  Yates  and 
I  have  both  had  colds.  We  seem  to  take  cold  easier  than  we 
used  to  do.  I  suppose  our  constitutions  are  giving  way  a 
little. 

Shanghai,  July  2,   1878. 

Last  Sabbath  it  was  my  privilege  to  baptize  three.  One  of 
Mrs.  Yates*  school  girls  now  plays  the  organ  at  our  regular 
Sunday  services.  So  you  see  we  are  advancing.  I  think  that 
you  would  enjoy  worship  with  my  little  church.  You  would 
at  least  be  able  to  see  that  a  large  proportion  of  those  present 
worship  God  as  people  do  in  America. 

Shanghai,  July  20,  1878. 

I  have  just  put  to  press  an  edition  of  2,500  of  my  translation 
of  "The  Two  Friends."  I  am  now  writing  a  tract  to  be  en- 
titled, 'The  Way  of  Salvation." 

We  have  the  papers  containing  a  condensed  report  of  the 
Convention  in  Nashville.  What  a  pity  that  there  is  not  suf^- 
cient  enterprise  to  have  the  proceedings  and  all  the  speeches 
reported  verbatim  and  published  in  all  the  religious  papers. 
The  speeches,  I  am  satisfied,  would  be  read  with  much  interest, 
and  be  productive  of  much  good.  The  men  of  this  world  are 
wiser  in  ihtiv  generation  than  the  children  of  light. 

Kwinsan,  September  30,  1878. 

I  am  much  pleased  with  the  appearance  of  things  at  our  out 
station  here.     The  disciples  have  all  been  present,  and  I  have 
had  a  delightful  communion  season  with  them. 

I  preached  in  the  morning  to  a  crowded  house.  The  open 
court  yard  also  was  full  of  most  attentive  hearers.  I  secured 
my  congregation  by  calling  out  as  I  walked  from  my  boat  up 
the  crowded  street:  "There  will  be  preaching  now  at  the  Sung- 
way-dong  (Hall  of  the  Sacred  Assembly)."  In  the  afternoon, 
I  had  a  much  larger  audience.  Of  course  many  of  these  came 
to  see  "the  big  monkey."  But  they  had  not  been  there  long 
before  a  deep  seriousness  pervaded  the  densely  packed  audience. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  197 

After  I  finished,  See  T'ay  San,  the  assistant  in  charge  here, 
delivered  a  mcst  animated  and  pointed  address.  A  large  num- 
ber lingered  for  conversation.  I  was  glad  to  see  that  there  was 
so  much  wheat  in  that  congregation,  and  talked  till  fatigue 
warned  me  that  it  was  prudent  to  desist. 

Having  returned  to  my  boat,  I  was  resting  and  meditating 
on  the  extent  of  the  harvest  and  the  fewness  of  the  laborers, 
when  a  boy  stepped  in  front  of  me  and  called  out,  "Foreign 
devil!"  I  cast  my  eyes  on  him  and  he  bolted.  I  thought,  "Well, 
my  blessed  Lord  suffered  a  similar  reproach,  and  it  is  enough 
for  me  to  be  as  my  Lord." 

Then  a  small  crowd  gathered  on  the  shore  and  were  gazing 
at  and  talking  about  me,  my  age,  how  many  Chinamen  I  could 
handle,  my  business  there,  etc.  I  was  amused  and  interested. 
Finally  a  fellow  joined  the  crowd  and  said,  "Oh,  that  is  the 
teacher  who  preached  twice  to-day  at  the  Sung-way-dong,  and 
I  tell  you  he  can  talk  our  language.  What  he  preached  is  still 
in  my  ears  and  before  my  eyes.  They  say  that  he  is  a  foreigner, 
but  I  don't  believe  it.  His  speech  proves  him  to  be  a  Chinaman 
in  foreign  dress."  Finally,  one  of  them  said  to  me,  "Preach  for 
us  here."  Then,  as  I  sat  on  my  boat,  I  preached  to  them  Jesus 
and  the  resurrection. 

After  the  crowd  had  dispersed,  and  it  was  quite  dark,  several 
ventured  to  come  to  me  in  my  boat,  where  we  sat  and  talked 
together  till  a  late  hour.  I  found  that  the  assistant  of  an 
ofificial,  whose  boat  was  made  fast  near  mine,  had  been  a  be- 
liever for  four  years.  He  was  not  ready  to  declare  himself  a 
Christian  as,  by  doing  so,  he  would  lose  the  position  by  which 
he  supported  his  family.  This,  I  am  satisfied,  is  the  condition 
of  thousands,  for  it  costs  a  man  something  in  China  to  declare 
himself  a  Christian.  Some  who  have  heard  me,  and  whom  I 
may  never  meet  again,  will,  I  doubt  not,  be  saved  at  last,  as 
by  fire. 

Shanghai,  November  14,  1878. 

One  of  my  old  members  went  to  her  reward  two  days  ago. 
She  died  in  the  faith  and  gave  strict  injunctions  against  the 
use  of  any  idolatrous  ceremonies.  She  said,  "I  belong  to  Jesus 
Christ,  and  he  does  not  want  such  useless  things." 


198  Yates  The  Missionary 

Shanghai,   December  2,   1878. 

A  few  days  ago  a  young  woman  died  under  peculiar  circum- 
stances. She  had  once  been  a  regular  attendant  at  my  church, 
and  had  expressed  a  wish  to  be  baptized,  but,  being  betrothed 
into  a  family  of  unbelievers,  she  was  not  allowed  even  to  come 
to  church  again.  One  of  our  good  sisters,  a  relative,  was 
present  at  her  bedside  and  gives  an  account  of  her  dying  mo- 
ments. 

After  they  thought  she  was  gone,  she  suddenly  came  to.  and 
with  a  startled  expression  of  her  eyes,  and  with  much  agita- 
tion, she  exclaimed:  '"The  doctrine  (gospel)  is  true!  Ah-boo- 
lay!  Ah-boo-hau-lay!"  Ah-boo,  the  mother  of  the  sister  men- 
tioned above,  had  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith  six  or  seven 
years  ago.  Hau-lay  means  "she  was  beautiful,  happy,  com- 
fortable." As  her  agitation  continued,  the  bystanders  asked  the 
reason  of  it.  She  replied:  "I  was  stopped  by  two  men  in  whitf.. 
one  taller  than  the  other,  who  said  that  my  credentials  were 
not  good."  They  asked  if  she  wished  to  have  the  priest  come 
and  perform  religious  ceremony.  She  replied.  No.  The  Chris- 
tian relative  then  asked  if  she  would  like  to  have  Pastor  Wong 
read  and  pray  with  her.  "Yes,"  she  replied,  "ask  him  to  com-i 
and  help  me  with  my  credentials." 

Wong  went  and  read  and  prayed  with  her  in  the  midst  of 
the  raging  heathen.  He  urged  faith  in  Jesus,  as  the  only  cre- 
dential needed.  "Do  not  fear  Jesus,  for  he  loves  you  and  wiil 
let  you  pass  if  you  put  your  trust  in  him."  Soon  after  this, 
she  seemed  to  pass  away  again.  But  when  those  present  thought 
that  all  was  over,  she  came  to,  expressing  ecstatic  delight  at 
being  permitted  to  go  to  Ah-boo.  She  said:  "I  have  not  been 
baptized,  but  my  credentials  are  accepted.  Ah-boo  is  beautiful — 
is  in  white — is  playing  an  instrument — the  glory  of  heaven — no 
tongue  can  tell."  These  were  the  last  audible  words,  and  she 
passed  away,  never  to  return. 

I  make  no  comment  on  this  remarkable  incident.  It  has 
moved  my  whole  church  as  well  as  all  the  relatives  of  the  de- 
ceased. Even  the  heathen  family  into  which  she  had  married 
are  anxious  about  their  "credentials."  and  are  praying  to  the 
true  God. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  i99 

Shanghai,  December  3,  1878. 
To  Rev.  T.  H.  Pritchard: 

Mrs.  Yates  is  in  Hong  Kong,  visiting  our  daughter,  and  if  I 
did  not  have  so  much  to  occupy  my  mind  and  body,  I  might 
be  very  lonely.  But.  in  addition  to  my  regular  work,  I  have 
undertaken  to  teach  a  theological  class  and  to  translate  the 
New  Testament.  I  am  now  working  on  Romans.  I  don't  know 
what  Peter  would  have  said  if  he  had  undertaken  lo  translate 
into  a  Chinese  dialect  Paul's  "things  which  are  hard  to  be 
understood." 

The  following-  i)aragraphs  are  from  a  communication 
addressed  to  the  Missionary  Society  of  the  Seminary  at 

Louisville:  .   ,,      ,  o 

Shanghai,  March  14,  i879- 

Happy  are  ye  if  ye  duly  appreciate  the  privilege  of  a  theo- 
logical education.  Make  the  most  of  it.  I  shall  never  cease  to 
feel  the  need  of  it,  for  in  my  work  I  am  often  called  upon  to  do 
the  work  of  an  evangelist,  pastor,  theological  professor,  and 
translator  of  the  Scriptures  into  a  strange  and  most  difficult 
tongue.  The  Chinese  language  will  not  contain  the  nice  shades 
of  many  of  our  religious  ideas;  it  has  no  parts  of  speech,  no 
number,  person,  or  gender.  But  here,  as  elsewhere,  there  are 
no  difficulties  which  will  not  yield  to  energy,  perseverance,  and 

faith. 

Even  the  conservatism  and  exclusiveness  of  the  hundreds  of 
millions  of  this  ancient  Empire  are  yielding  to  the  influence  of 

light  and  truth.  ,    .     *       1  o«^ 

Shanghai,  April  14,  1879. 

It  was  my  privilege  yesterday  to  baptize  two  more  converts 

from  heathenism.     There  are  many  others  whose  hearts  have 

been  touched  by  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  and  who  have  been  awed 

into  a  reverential  mood.     Thank  God  for  the  manifestation  of 

his  presence  in  our  midst.     "Thou  shalt  see  greater  inings  than 

these." 

April  28.— Yesterday  I  baptized  two  yong  men  brought  down 
from  our  station  at  Kwinsan  by  See  T'ay  San.  He  will  stop 
a  month  or  more  with  me,  that  I  may  teach  him  the  way  of  the 
Lord  more  perfectly.     He  is  a  good  man,  full  of  faith,  and  a 


200  Yates  The  Missionary. 

good  speaker,  but  very  modest.  I  am  thinking  of  organizing 
a  church  at  Kwinsan,  with  him  as  pastor. 

With  this  additional  responsibiHty  of  teaching  See,  you  will 
perceive  that  my  hands  are  full  of  interesting  work,  a  work  in 
which  angels  might  rejoice  to  participate. 

May  4. — Two  more  received  for  baptism.  Three  others  are 
applying.  Still  others,  as  the  Chinese  say,  "are  praying,  but 
have  not  found  comfort." 

In  three  days  the  Convention  will  meet  in  Atlanta.     I  shall 

be  with  it  in  spirit. 

Shanghai,  July  15,  1879. 

For  days  the  thermometer  has  marked  90  in  my  house. 

Having  taken  my  class  through  my  translation  of  Matthew, 
Acts,  and  Romans,  I  dismissed  them  at  the  end  of  June.  See 
returns  to  his  post  at  Kwinsan. 

Shanghai,  July  10,  1879. 
To  his  Sister: 

When  a  church  does  what  it  can  to  make  known  Christ's 
gospel  to  all  people,  then  they  will  have  lively  times  at  home, 
and  in  their  own  souls.  I  believe  one  reason  wh}--  professing 
Christians  do  so  little  for  others,  is  they  do  not  pray  for  them — 
not  even  once  a  day,  and  consequently  they  feel  but  little  in- 
terest in  anything  but  themselves.  That  does  not  express  the 
relation  we  sustain  to  God  and  to  our  brother  man.  As  faith 
without  works  is  dead,  so  a  church  without  prayer  and  workers 
for  Christ's  cause,  is  dead,  so  far  as  exerting  influences  for  good 
is  concerned.  I  should  like  to  know  how  many  members  of 
your  new  church  pray  in  public  or  in  their  families. 

I  have  a  church  of  a  hundred  members.  A  large  proportion 
of  them  pray  in  prayer  meetings.  And  they  delight  to  talk  to 
the  unconverted  about  the  great  salvation.  Many  of  the  women 
are  active  workers.  And  how  did  I  get  them  into  this  way? 
I  set  them  to  work  from  the  day  of  their  baptism.  And  now  it 
is  expected  from  every  one.  I  used  to  have  men  give  an  excuse, 
"they  had  not  the  gift  of  prayer."  That  is  a  poor  excuse,  and 
one  that  God  will  not  accept.  The  same  men  could  buy  and 
sell  and  talk  politics  and  work  at  their  trade.  All  of  these  were 
new  and  strange  when  they  commenced;  and  so  it  is  with  prayer. 
Any  man  who  has  desires  can  make  them  known  in  some  way. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  201 

And  when  this  is  done,  let  him  stop.     God  abominates  long  and 
wordy  prayers.     Everything  becomes  handy  by  use. 

Set  your  church  to  work  for  the  good  of  those  around  them. 
T^Ieet  every  Sunday,  whether  you  have  a  pastor  or  not.  Let 
the  members  conduct  a  meeting  at  the  close  of  the  Sunday 
school.  Then  you  will  soon  have  a  revival,  the  influence  of 
which  will  be  felt  in  China.  Try  it;  have  a  model  church  at 
work;  begin  at  home.  Then  they  will  soon  remember  the 
heathen;  for  their  souls  will  warm  toward  Christ  and  his  cause 
among  all  people  under  the  sun.  Oh,  that  the  chur-jh  at  home 
would  drift  into  a  wave  of  importunate  prayer;  that  men  would 
obey  Christ's  command— not  strive  to  be  good,  but  strive  for 
the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom.  I  have  added  ten  by  bap- 
tism this  year.  We  are  now  having  sweltering  weather.  But  with 
us  at  a  mission  station,  religion  is  a  business,  and  must  go  on, 
hot  or  cold  weather. 

At  home,  too  many  people  regard  religion  as  a  sacred  curio 
or  a  fine  garment,  that  is  to  be  used  only  on  special  occasions, 
whereas  it  should  be  used  every  day  without  being  soiled,  for 
it  is  that  robe  of  righteousness  which  we  must  have  on  when 
Christ  comes,  at  an  hour  when  we  think  not.  A  large  portion 
of  the  Christian  world  think  but  little  of  and  care  but  little  for 
the  600,000,000  who  sit  in  the  region  and  shadow  of  death. 
Gross  darkness  covers  the  earth  from  the  east  coast  of  Japan  to 
France  in  the  west,  a  distance  that  requires  forty  days  steaming. 
And  yet  Christ  has  said  to  his  disciples,  "Go  ye  and  disciple  all 
nations."  In  obedience  to  this  command,  I  have  presented 
my  body  a  living  sacrifice;  but,  oh,  what  am  I  among  so  many? 

Shanghai,  September  29,  1879. 

We  have  pulled  through  the  most  trying  summer  that  has 
been  experienced  here  for  thirty-two  years.  Many  died  from 
the  effects  of  the  heat. 

About  August  i8th,  without  any  premonitory  symptoms,  I 
wilted.  The  doctor  was  called  in.  He  said,  "You  must  leave 
by  the  steamer  that  leaves  to-night  for  Chefoo." 

In  thirty-six  hours  after  I  got  to  sea  and  had  a  warm  salt 
water  bath,  I  was  all  right,  and  could  look  at  objects  with  a 
steady  gaze. 


202  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Shanghai,  December  31,  1879. 

This  year's  work  has  been,  from  my  standpoint,  the  most 
successful  that  I  have  yet  done  in  China.  As  the  miners  say, 
''I  seem  to  have  struck  better  paying  ore."  Our  total  member- 
ship is  ninety-one. 

The  native  members  of  my  church  contributed  last  year,  on 
an  average,  more  than  the  members  of  most  of  our  churches 
in  x-\merica  are  giving.  And  already  they  feel  the  blessed  effects 
of  having  done  something  beyond  themselves  to  pray  for.  Yes- 
terday the  first  fruits  of  the  revival  spirit  presented  themselves 
for  baptism.     I  need  some  one  to  rejoice  with  me. 

The  members  of  my  church  are  from  five  provinces.  When 
they  return  home,  they  will  carry  the  seed  of  truth  far  into  the 
regions  beyond.    This  is  the  good  providence  of  God. 

Tsung  Tung  Foo,  one  of  the  first  disciples  from  Kwinsan. 
was  excluded  from  the  Shanghai  Church.  Returning  to  the 
house  of  his  wealthy  brother  at  Kwinsan,  a  feast  was  prepared, 
and  all  the  relations  of  the  family  were  invited.  The  household 
gods  and  ancestral  tablets  were  placed  before  Tsung.  Then  his 
brother  said,  "If  you  will  worship  with  us  as  of  old,  I  will  settle 
on  you  fifty  acres  of  land  and  bear  the  expenses  of  getting 
you  a  wife.    If  you  refuse,  you  shall  never  return  to  my  house." 

Tsung  replied,  "The  wife  I  want;  the  land  would  make  me 
comfortable;  but  how  can  you  ask  me  to  sacrifice  the  interests 
of  my  soul?  Since  I  have  learned  the  way  of  Jesus  Christ,  I 
cannot  and  will  not  worship  idols  or  tablets." 

He  was  fiercely  driven  from  the  house.  Our  brethren  joy- 
fully received  him  back  into  the  church.  This  is  a  sample  of 
what  we  mean  by  forsaking  all  and  following  Christ.  The 
Christianity  that  we  have  introduced  into  China  is  of  the  old 
martyr  type.  God  forbid  that  we  or  other  teachers  should 
introduce  here  or  into  any  other  land  any  other  type  of  the 
religion  of  Christ. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  203 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

IS    RETROSPECTIVE 1880 AGE    61. 

After  he  had  labored  in  China  more  than  thi:  y-two 
years,  Dr.  Yates  wrote  this  contrast  between  his  earher 
and  later  work. 

It  was,  perhaps,  well  that  we,  as  pioneer  missionaries,  did  not 
know  in  advance  the  nature  of  the  difficulties  wath  which  we 
had  to  contend,  or  we  might  have  been  appalled  by  their  mag- 
nitude. 

In  our  ignorance,  without  helps  of  any  kind,  as  though  it 
were  a  mere  trifle  that  would  yield  to  will  and  apphcation,  we 
began  the  study  of  the  language.  Often  we  were  in  thick  dark- 
ness, but  we  kept  on  struggling  for  the  desired  light.  When, 
at  last,  light  began  to  dawn  upon  our  way,  and  we  perceived 
that  we  were  understood  by  the  Chinese  in  common  matters, 
we  rejoiced  in  the  thought  that  victory  was  now  certain;  that, 
henceforth,  we  had  only  to  preach  the  gospel  and  the  people 
would  certainly  embrace  it. 

In  this  we  were  disappointed.  For  years,  by  day  and  by  night, 
in  chapels,  in  heathen  temples,  by  the  wayside,  we  preached  the 
gospel.  But  the  people  did  not,  as  we  had  expected,  rush  into 
the  fold  of  the  church,  thanking  us  for  bringing  to  them  the 
message  of  salvation.  Large  audiences,  with  apparent  interest, 
waited  on  our  ministry.  They  were  curious  to  see  and  to  hear 
us  foreigners  try  to  speak  their  language.  They  were  polite 
enough  to  assure  us  that  we  spoke  it  perfectly,  and  that  they 
understood  everything  that  we  said.  For  a  long  time,  as  it 
seemed  to  me,  no  one  appeared  to  show  any  signs  of  being 
favorably  affected  by  the  gospel  message.  Disappointed,  but 
not  cast  down,  we  co'ntinued  to  preach  the  word  and  to  study 
the  situation. 


204  Yates  The   Missionary. 

As  the  years  rolled  on  and  we  became  able  to  use  this  un- 
wieldy language  with  greater  facility,  individuals  came,  like 
Nicodemus,  to  make  more  particular  enquiries  about  the  new 
religion.  Some  of  these,  we  now  know,  had  an  eye  to  profit, 
expecting  to  secure  positions  as  assistants  or  teachers.  These 
may  not  have  intended  to  deceive  us  or  themselves.  It  is  likely 
that  the  necessity  that  they  should  be  born  again  was  never 
apprehended  by  them.  For  during  the  first  five  or  six  years 
of  our  service  our  ability  to  present  in  Chinese  nice  shades  of 
religious  truth  was  limited. 

Some  were  received  and  baptized;  others  were  advised  to 
wait.  The  latter  soon  lost  their  interest  in  religious  matters, 
the  former  seemed  to  be  helpful,  and  we  rejoiced  in  these  first 
fruits,  green  though  they  were,  for  in  those  days  we  were  all 
green  together.  These  have  long  since  gone  to  their  reward; 
we  hope  that  they  died  in  the  faith.  Those  were  days  to  try 
men's  faith  and  courage,  and  they  seemed  to  be  sincere.  We 
have  a  better  type  of  Chinese  Christians  now. 

While  I  rejoiced  that  I  could  speak  the  language,  I  felt  that 
all  was  not  right.  There  was  some  barrier  between  me  and  the 
people.  All  seemed  to  have  a  secret  which  I  did  not  know; 
this  barred  the  entrance  to  their  hearts,  I  resolved  to  investi- 
gate this  matter,  to  give  more  attention  to  the  study  of  the 
Chinese  people,  their  character  and  religious  systems.  I  entered 
upon  a  long  course  of  study  of  their  inner  life,  and  of  that  com- 
bination of  their  religious  systems  which  unites  in  ancestral 
worship.  This  system  makes  a  unit  of  the  whole  population 
in  opposition  to  any  and  all  change  of  every  character.  This 
opposition  included,  of  course,  the  introduction  of  the  gospel, 
which,  from  its  very  nature,  called  for  radical  changes. 

I  found  that  at  heart  the  Chinese  were  corrupt;  that  they  were 
content  to  remain  so,  desiring  only  the  means  of  gratifying  their 
appetites  and  passions;  that  they  were  so  completely  under  the 
influence  of  their  priests  and  systems  that  they  had  neither  will 
nor  power  to  extricate  themselves. 

Even  in  material  things  they  were  in  mortal  dread  of  innova- 
tions. The  erection  of  a  house,  especially  of  a  high  one,  and 
still  more  a  church  with  a  tower,  filled  the  neighborhood  with 


Yates   The   Missionary.  205 

anxiety.  Every  family  in  the  vicinity  resorted  to  counteracting 
measures.  A  basket  and  broom,  for  instance,  were  suspended 
in  an  elevated  position  to  sweep  up  and  receive  all  bad  influ- 
ences. They  supposed  the  atmosphere  to  be  alive  with  the 
spirits  of  the  dead,  and  dreaded  lest  some  evil  should  befall 
them,  if  its  even  flow  was  disturbed  by  any  obstruction. 

Still  more  direful  was  their  fear  of  offending  the  gods  and 
forfeiting  their  aid  by  making  any  change  in  their  religion. 
To  oppose  the  gods  and  renounce  ancient  customs  rendered 
one  liable  to  far  more  dreadful  punishments  than  would  be 
incurred  by  open  rebellion  against  the  Imperial  Government. 
Indeed,  these  two  governments,  one  for  the  living  and  another 
for  the  dead,  they  believe  to  be  correlative. 

Thus,  by  superstitious  fears  their  ears  had  been  closed  to  the 
message  of  truth  and  the  invitations  of  mercy. 

This  gloomy  investigation  through  dark  and  haunted  regions 
and  dens  of  demons  I  have  prosecuted  for  years.  While  it  has 
revealed  the  true  condition  of  this  deluded  people,  it  has  brought 
no  relief;  it  has  only  given  us  clearer  conceptions  of  the  nature 
and  magnitude  of  the  difficulties  which  must  be  overcome  in 
bringing  the  Chinese  to  a  knowledge  of  God  and  to  faith  in 
the  Saviour. 

The  four  hundred  millions  of  China  are  afflicted  with  a  mental 
and  moral  paralysis.  Over  against  this  malady,  the  natural 
tendency  of  which  is  to  propagate  itself,  stands  the  gospel  which 
Christ  commanded  his  disciples  to  preach  to  every  creature. 

I  must  confess  that  when  I  was  excavating  deep  down  into 
their  minds  to  find  the  secret  springs  of  their  religion  and  their 
motives  for  worshiping  the  dead,  and  found  stratum  after 
stratum  of  evil  and  of  false  hopes,  all  emanating  from  and  con- 
centrating on  themselves,  the  discovery  was  far  from  reassuring. 

But  results  are  matters  concerning  which  we  have  received 
no  instructions  and  about  which  we  should  not  distress  our- 
selves. Obedience  and  fidelity  in  preaching  the  gospel  are  re- 
quired of  us;  results  are  with  God.  And  we  have  abundant 
evidence  that  the  Spirit  of  Truth  can  and  does  reach  and  renew 
the  hearts  even  of  Chinese  men  and  women. 

After  these  days  of  trial  and  of  exhausting  labors,   a  better 


2o6  Yates  The  Missionary. 

class  of  enquirers  came  forward.  Some  of  these  had  tried  all 
their  systems  of  religion,  and  still  their  hearts  were  not  at  rest. 
But  the  gospel  seemed  to  promise  just  what  the}'  felt  the  need 
of.  Among  these  was  Wong  Ping  San,  who  was  Mrs.  Craw- 
ford's school  teacher.  In  process  of  time,  he  became  deeply- 
convicted,  lie  studied  the  New  Testament,  but  all  that  he  read 
condemned  him.  One  night,  after  reading  a  chapter,  he  felt 
his  lost  condition  so  keenly  that  he  continued  long  in  prayer. 
When  he  retired  to  bed,  he  could  not  sleep.  He  got  up  and 
prayed  again.  This  he  did  frequently  throughout  the  night. 
He  searched  his  heart  to  see  if  he  had  freely  and  fully  forgiven 
every  enemy.  At  last,  when  he  had  been  praying  and  waiting 
long  for  the  promised  blessing,  his  distress  of  mind  and  sense 
of  condenmation  seemed  to  have  departed  and  were  succeeded 
by  a  peace  of  mind  which  he  could  not  comprehend.  He 
wanted  to  go  to  see  Mr.  Crawford,  but  he  would  not  disturb 
him.  Feeling  no  inclination  to  sleep  now,  he  waited  fcr  the  light 
of  day,  when  he  could  enquire  of  Mr.  Crawford  what  was  the 
matter.  One  can  imagine  what  took  place  when  they  met  at 
an  early  hour  the  next  morning.  He  was  baptized  by  me;  for 
at  that  time  I  was  the  pastor  of  the  church.  In  the  course  of 
time  he  was  ordained,  and  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  ^church 
as  its  native  pastor. 

Rev.  Wong  is  not  a  graduate,  but  is  a  fair  scholar  m  Chinese 
literature,  and  is  something  of  a  wit.  He  knows  the  Bible  well, 
and  has  a  wonderful  memory.  As  the  Chinese  have  no  occa- 
sion for  public  speaking,  Wong  has  never  given  special  atten- 
tion to  that  art.  His  usual  position  in  the  pulpit  is  to  stand 
with  his  right  foot  across  the  left.  This  is  not  a  graceful  atti- 
tude, but  it  seems  to  be  a  natural  and  comfortable  one  for  him. 
In  his  efforts  to  imitate  us,  he  is  often  ungainly  in  his  gesticu- 
lation. If  one  will  spread  his  fingers  and  thumb  as  wide  apart 
as  he  can  and  bring  his  little  finger,  without  crooking  it  much, 
down  near  the  palm  of  the  hand,  keeping  the  thumb  in  its  dis- 
tended position,  the  other  fingers  will  naturally  assume  the 
graceful  position  for  a  Chinese  gentleman's  hand.  They  have 
acquired  this  habit  by  carrying  their  hands  in  this  position  in 


•  Yates  The  Missionary.  207 

order  to  keep  their  long  sleeves  from  falling  over  their  hands. 
The  thumb  and  little  finger  form  a  rest  for  the  sleeve. 

Being  naturally  of  a  timid  disposition,  Pastor  Wong  has  not 
developed  into  a  bold  reformer.  While  he  has  made  great 
progress  in  his  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  in  methods 
of  presenting  truth,  he  has  not  made  corresponding  growth  in 
efficiency  as  a  preacher  or  as  a  pastor.  In  fact,  1  know  no 
native  preacher,  even  among  those  who  have  been  educated 
abroad,  who  has  risen  above  a  certain  Chinese  standard,  and 
that  is  mainly  a  mental  one.  They  cannot  transgress  their 
rules  of  propriety.  These  are  as  old  as  the  oldest  grave-hills, 
which  have  not  been  obliterated  for  ages.  This  is  true  of  all 
who  make  any  pretension  to  education.  In  fact,  all  who  have 
studied  the  Confucian  classics  seem  to  have  come  out  of  the 
same  mould.  The  several  native  preachers  whom  I  know  are 
all  of  the  same  stamp.  They  seem  to  be  converted  men,  and. 
up  to  a  certain  point,  within  a  certain  sphere,  they  are  true  and 
zealous  workers.  Beyond  that  point  they  are  not  as  efficient 
as  I  had  fondly  desired  to  find  native  co-workers. 

It  may  be  that  I  have  expected  too  much,  for  they  are  human; 
and  I  am  not  unaware  of  the  powerful  combinations  against 
the  new  religion  and  its  teachers. 

At  this  stage  of  our  work  a  native  preacher  will  not  dare  to 
maintain  the  truth  as  the  foreigner  does.  Hence  the  fallacy 
of  the  position  assumed  and  acted  upon  by  some  who,  believ- 
ing that  China  will  have  to  be  Christianized  by  native  agency, 
devote  themselves  mainly  to  the  education  and  training  of 
native  preachers.  I  acknowledge  the  utility  of  native  agency 
as  a  sort  of  volunteer  corps  to  do  certain  kinds  of  work,  when 
properly  superintended.  But  to  overcome  the  long  standing 
and  deeply  seated  errors  of  the  Chinese  Empire  will  require 
"regulars,"  and  these  should  be  properly  sustained  and  rein- 
forced in  good  season.  American  and  European  Christians 
need  to  realize  that  the  work  that  is  to  be  done  by  them  in 
China  is  only  just  begun.  Their  presence  and  guidance  will  be 
needed  for  several  generations  before  this  work  can  be  entrusted 
to  native  agency. 

The  rank  and  file  of  our  membership  are  about  equal  to  the 


2o8  Yates   The   Missionary. 

members  of  the  country  churches  of  North  CaroHna.  In  some 
respects  they  are  far  superior.  In  my  Shanghai  church,  every 
man  and  woman  promises,  when  received  for  baptism,  to  con- 
tribute of  their  means,  and  to  do  all  in  their  power  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  cause  of  Christ.  They  contribute  a  much 
larger  average  per  member  for  sending  the  gospel  to  regions 
beyond.  For  two  years  my  church,  in  addition  to  paying  the 
salary  of  the  native  pastor,  have  contributed  an  average  of  $1.20 
per  member  to  send  the  gospel  to  Soochow,  the  capital  of  this 
province.  This  I  conceive  to  be  a  part  of  the  religious  education 
that  every  pastor  is  morally  bound  to  give  his  charge.  As  to 
a  man's  declining  to  lead  in  prayer  when  called  upon,  none  of 
our  members  know  how  to  refuse.  It  is  a  thing  expected  of 
him,  and  he  will  do  the  best  he  can.  He  generally  does  pretty 
well,  much  better  than  I  did  when  I  commenced. 

During  these  last  few  years  I  have  devoted  much  time  and 
labor  to  teaching  our  members  who  could  spare  the  time,  in 
classes  of  four  or  five.  This  has  enabled  me  to  make  an  im- 
portant discovery.  I  now  find  that  those  who  have  been  taught 
in  a  class  and  have  something  definite  to  think  about  are  the 
most  intelligent,  active,  and  efficient  men  and  women  in  my 
church.  These,  though  a  small  minority,  contribute  the  bulk 
of  the  funds  raised  by  the  church.  The  moral  is  evident.  In 
order  that  there  may  be  intelligent  and  liberal  church  members, 
ways  and  means  must  be  devised  for  increasing  their  knowledge 
as  to  their  obligations. 

May  I  whisper  a  great  secret  into  the  ears  of  every  Baptist 
church  in  North  Carolina?  Meet  every  Lord's  day  at  your 
house  of  prayer,  whether  you  have  a  preacher  or  not.  Meet 
for  prayer,  the  study  of  God's  word,  and  the  consideration  of 
the  condition  of  mankind,  even  if  you  cannot  get  more  than 
three  to  agree  to  it.  Others  will  hear  of  it  and  come.  God  will 
bless  you  in  your  own  souls  and  make  you  a  blessmg  to  the 
world. 

Modern  missions  are  only  the  result  of  a  clearer  perception 
and  application  of  the  true  spirit  and  letter  of  the  gospel.  For, 
if  there  be  one  truth  clearly  set  forth  in  the  teachings  of  our 
Lord  and  his  apostles,  it  is  that  the  gospel  was  designed  for 


Yates  The   Missionary.  209 

itll  people.  Christ  also  gave  us  an  example  as  to  how  it  was  to 
be  made  known  to  all  people.  He  taught  the  twelve,  and  then 
sent  them  forth  two  and  two  to  teach  and  preach.  This  was 
part  of  their  education  to  prepare  them  for  what  was  required 
of  them  after  the  bridegroom  had  been  taken  away.  After  His 
resurrection,  He  "spake  unto  them,  saying:  All  power  is  given 
unto  Me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach 
all  nations."  The  work  committed  to  every  church  of  Christ 
is  to  make  known  this  gospel  to  all  nations.  The  ways  and 
means  they  must  provide.    They  are  simply  told  to  go  and  do  it. 

Paul  and  Barnabas,  who  were  Foreign  Missionaries,  were 
called  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  just  as  the  foreign  missionaries  of 
modern  times  have  been  called.  For  I  suppose  that  few  have 
embarked  in  this  work  without  a  distinct  and  abiding  impres- 
sion that  it  was  their  duty  to  do  so.  They  have  renounced 
worldly  ambition  for  distinction  among  men,  and  have  con- 
secrated themselves  wholly  to  the  service  of  Christ  and  to  the 
good  of  lost  and  ruined  men. 

I  doubt  not  that  there  are  now  many  in  our  churches,  mem- 
bers of  the  learned  professions,  who  have  felt  that  it  was  their 
duty  to  devote  their  lives  to  the  ministry  of  the  word,  and,  per- 
haps, to  enter  the  foreign  field.  They  have  had  the  call,  but  the 
sacrifice  they  have  not  made.  Failing  to  do  this  and  choosing 
their  own  vocation,  they  have  discounted  their  happiness  even 
in  this  life.  It  is  a  good  thing  to  seek  the  path  of  religious 
duty,  and  to  walk  therein;  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  quench  the 
Holy  Spirit. 

Many  years  ago  I  gave  myself  unto  the  Lord,  and  promised 
to  follow  him  in  whatever  duty  and  to  whatever  field  of  labor 
He  might  direct.  Paul  did  no  more;  none  of  us  can  do  less 
without  neglect  of  duty  and  loss  of  the  reward  for  obedience. 
I  was  directed  to  China,  and  in  the  prosecution  of  the  duty 
assigned  me,  I  have  been  called  upon  to  pass  through  great 
tribulations.  But  these  have  all  proved  to  be  rich  blessings. 
14 


210  Yates  The  Missionary. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

SACRED  STRATEGY 1S80-1884 — AGE  6  I -65. 


OT  long  after  entering  upon  his  work  ns  Sec- 
retary of  the  Foreign  ]\Iission  Board,  in  Rich  • 
moncl,  Dr.  WilUngham  asked  Mr.  J.  C  Wil- 
liams, the  Treasurer  and  oldest  menibei'  of  the 
Board,  "What  did  you  all  think  of  Yates?"  Mr.  Wil- 
liams replied,  "He  was  regarded  by  the  Board  not 
merely  as  a  missionary  but  as  a  statesman.  If  he  had 
remxained  in  this  country,  he  could  have  retained  dis- 
iinction  in  any  of  the  walks  of  life.  He  was  u  very  great 
man." 

That  this  estimate  of  the  man  was  well-founded  an  i 
not  due  merely  to  fraternal  partiality  is  evidenced  by 
the  scope  of  his  vision,  the  magnitude  of  his  plans,  and 
Uie  earnestness  of  his  tireless  endeavors  to  carry  these 
plans  into  execution. 

While  Dr.  Yates  was  actively  and  incessantly  engaged 
m  his  local  work  at  Shanghai,  preaching-  teaching, 
translating,  he  was  also  planning  to  seize  for  Christ  the 
most  important  strategic  points  in  Central  Cnina. 

Shanghai,  September  7,  1880. 

I  have  surveyed  and  studied  a  line  of  attack  for  the  Southern 
Baptists,  i.  e.,  the  line  of  the  great  river  Yang-tsz  to  the  Szchuen 
Province  in  the  West.  By  the  most  convenient  line  for  trans- 
portation by  steamers,  we  divide  the  Empire  in  two,  and  have 
a  center  line  from  which  to  work  northward  and  southward. 

This  programme  involves  a  new  departure  in  our  methods 
of  supporting  Foreign  Missions.  We  might  as  well  make  up 
our  minds  first  as  last  on  this  one  point,  that  our  Missions 
cannot  be  supported  by  the  few  who  are  now  heartily  mterested. 
When  pastors  and  people  awake  to  a  sense  of  their  duty  and 


Yates   The   Missionary.  211 

privilege    in    this    matter,    Southern    Baptists    can    support   fifty 
men  as  easily  as  they  now  do  three  or  four. 

Later  on,  with  more  of  detail,  he  gave  the  following 
outline  of  his  far-reaching  plans: 

In  my  pioneer  work  I  was  able,  at  an  early  day,  to  spy  out 
the  goodly  portions  of  this,  the  Kiang-Soo  Province.  I  studied 
the  lay  of  the  land,  the  trend  of  the  navigable  canals  which  in- 
tersect this  wide  plain  like  the  streets  of  a  city,  and  the  juxta- 
position of  the  most  populous  and  wealthy  cities,  towns,  and 
villages.  This  was  done  with  a  view  of  locating  a  permanent 
Mission  field  for  the  Shanghai  Mission,  one  which  would  pre- 
sent the  greatest  facilities  for  access  by  the  common  canal 
passenger  boats.  These  have  houses  upon  them.  Mrs.  Yates 
and  I,  with  our  child,  lived  for  a  month  in  one  of  them,  as  we 
passed  from  city  to  city  in  this  populous  region. 

In  due  time,  with  Shanghai  as  a  base  of  operations,  I  chose 
Soochow,  on  the  Grand  Canal,  and  Chinkiang,  at  ""he  junction 
of  the  Grand  Canal  with  the  Yang-tsz  River,  as  great  centers 
for  a  great  work,  when  the  men  should  be  found  to  occupy 
them.  These  three  cities,  from  a  commercial  point  of  view, 
dominate  a  population  of  more  than  twenty  million  souls.  They 
are  situated  in  the  form  of  a  right  angled  triangle;  the  Grand 
Canal  forming  one  side;  an  equally  grand  canal  from  Shanghai 
to  Soochow  forming  the  other  side;  while  the  Yang-tsz  River 
is  the  hypothenuse  of  the  triangle.  From  Shanghai  to  Soochow 
is  eighty-five  miles;  from  Soochow  to  Chinkiang  is  one  hundred 
and  twenty-seven  miles;  from  Chinkiang  to  Shanghai  is  one 
hundred  and  fifty-seven  miles  by  the  river. 

In  addition  to  these  three  cities  at  the  angles  of  the  triangle, 
there  are  on  the  great  canals,  or  within  thirty  miles,  and  easy 
of  access  by  boat,  more  than  a  dozen  walled  cities,  each  having 
one,  two,  or  three  hundred  thousand  souls,  numerous  large 
villages  of  ten,  twenty,  or  thirty  thousand,  and  hundreds  of 
smaller  villages,  within  a  few  minutes  walk  of  each  other,  and 
m.any  within  call,  while  others  seem  continuous — ail  teeming 
with  immortal  souls. 

Having  labored  alone  since  1863,  and  thinking  that  the  time 


212  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Lad  certainly  come  for  this  Mission  to  be  reinforced,  I  pro- 
ceeded to  occupy  Soochow.  Having  secured  a  good  position 
in  one  of  the  main  streets  of  the  city,  I  erected  a  chapel,  and 
constituted  a  church  of  nine  members,  a  colony  from  the  mother 
church  at  Shanghai,  these  members  having  returned  to  their 
native  city. 

The  following  letter,  written  early  in  1880,  tells  of 
Dr.  Yates'  first  efforts  to  occupy  positions  on  his  "line 
of  attack." 

Last  October  Brother  Wong  and  I  proceeded  to  Kwinsan 
and  constituted  a  church  of  sixteen  members.  We  ordained 
See  T'ay  as  pastor,  and  also  two  deacons.  Two  members  have 
since  been  added.  The  Kwinsan  church  has  a  good  start,  hav- 
ing a  house  built  by  the  Shanghai  Mission  on  land  belonging 
to  the  pastor,  See  T'ay.  This  contains  a  chapel,  a  dispensary 
room,  pastor's  study,  and  dwelling  house. 

They  regard  the  Shanghai  church  as  the  mother  church,  to 
which  they  can  apply  for  counsel.  Few  cities  suffered  more 
during  the  Rebellion;  but,  in  spite  of  their  poverty,  I  insisted 
in  my  charge  to  the  church  that  each  member,  male  and  female, 
should  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  church  and  to  the  cause 
of  Christ.  A  letter  from  the  pastor  inform^  me  that  they  have 
all  promised  what  they  would  give  each  month.  This  is  a 
good  beginning.  Few  at  home  are  as  poor  as  the  richest  mem- 
ber of  this  church. 

Thirty  miles  beyond  Kwinsan  is  Soochow.  I  sent  P'ay  Tsz 
Oo,  a  native  of  that  city,  thither  last  July  to  begin  work.  In 
the  tea  shops  and  highways  he  met  so  many  who  were  anxious 
to  know  more  of  the  way  of  life,  that  he  petitioned  for  a  room 
or  two  in  which  he  could  meet  his  enquirers  for  quiet  conversa- 
tion and  prayer.  At  my  request,  the  pastor  and  a  deacon  of  the 
Kwinsan  church  went  to  Soochow,  and,  after  conferring  with 
P'ay  Tsz  Oo,  succeeded  in  renting  a  suitable  house  at  less  than 
$3  per  month. 

The  Shanghai  church  has  contributed  this  year  $273.  In 
addition  to  this,  they  have  sundry  charities  among  themselves. 

I  was  never  more  encouraged  in  my  work  than  I  am  now. 


4>i    f  /HaVcViu'^ 

J-  \J(hilf''fJ^M--T-r^ 


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S  H  A/N    S  I      •, 
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P. 


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SE'^- 


Fu^-tinK\^^ 

i       &>'■•-■-■  Chang-liauo '■•'■'''■'"' HI ''''On   i  N"-. 


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35 


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3=. •        '5^./  P.  .  p. 


Kous 


A.L.C.M.3. 


MAP   OF   CHINA. 
Stations  of  the  A.  B.  M.  U.  in  this  tyxje,  SwatOW.     ^S.  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 


Yates   The   Missionary.  213 

And,  although  single  handed,  I  was  never  more  determined  to 
prosecute  it,  so  long  as  I  have  strength. 

Shanghai,  February,  1880. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Mrs.  Yates  and  our  daughter  are  probably  in  New  York  by 
this  time.  They  have  not  been  in  America  for  more  than  twenty 
years. 

I  am  alone,  and  yet  not  alone.  God  is  with  me  more  and 
more  to  sustain  and  comfort  and  guide.  I  feel  like  one  who, 
after  a  long  journey,  is  getting  near  his  home.  I  am  well,  full 
of  life,  full  of  work,  and  have  a  will  to  do  it. 

Tell  Dr.  Brooks  to  look  up.  It  will  soon  be  time  to  ring 
the  bell  at  the  entrance.    We  shall  meet  on  that  shore. 

Shanghai,  February  10,  1880. 
To  the  Recorder: 

This  is  the  Chinese  New  Year.  Next  year  it  will  fall  on  some 
other  day  of  February  or  January.  In  1879  they  had  an  inter- 
calary month.  That  advanced  their  year  into  February.  The 
object  is  to  bring  the  period  of  worshiping  their  ancestors  to 
the  right  season,  i.  e.,  when  peach  blossoms  put  forth. 

At  the  New  Year  all  Chinamen  are  required  to  settle  all  their 
bills;  otherwise,  they  will  not  be  able  to  get  credit  another 
year.  Few  people  sleep  on  New  Year's  night.  All  are  in  debt, 
and  they  all  spend  that  night  in  dunning  one  another.  Some 
debtors  who  know  that  they  cannot  settle  up,  secrete  them- 
selves till  daylight  on  New  Year's  day.  Then  his  creditor  can- 
not dun  unless  he  carries  a  lantern.  But,  with  this,  he  can  dun 
till  the  sun  shines,  and  have  an  opportunity  of  putting  the 
debtor  to  the  blush  before  his  friends,  and  thus  make  public 
his  failure. 

All  Chinamen  spend  New  Year's  day  at  home,  if  possible. 
They  think  that  the  spirits  of  dead  ancestors  may  return  on 
that  day.  They  spend  the  day  in  gambling  or  in  making  music 
(that  is,  all  the  noise  they  can)  on  gongs,  drums,  bugles,  and 
other  grating  instruments,  and  all  in  the  same  room. 

On  the  next  two  days  the  men  swarm  out  dressed  in  their 
best  (and  often  hired)  robes,  to  make  calls.  The  caller's  large 
red  card  precedes  him,  that  all  may  be  in  readiness.     On  enter- 


214  Yates  The   Missionary. 

ing.  lie  and  his  host  rush  at  each  other,  each  with  his  own 
hands  clasped  just  beneath  his  chin,  each  trying  to  bow  lower 
than  the  other,  and  each  wishing  the  other  great  happiness. 
The  women  enjoy  the  good  eating  and  seeing  the  men  and 
children  have  a  good  time.  This  they  can  do  by  peeping 
through  the  cracks  in  the  hall. 

Festivities  are  kept  up  till  the  evening  of  the  *ourth  day. 
which  is  the  feast  of  the  god  of  wealth.  This  is  the  god  of 
China.  All  make  offerings  and  crave  prosperity  in  business. 
The  constant  roar  from  the  explosion  of  popcrackers  will  not 
give  much  chance  for  quiet  sleep  that  night.  What  would 
Paul  have  said  if,  in  addition  to  the  idolatry  of  Athens,  had 
been  superadded  the  incessant  din  of  firecrackers?  These  are 
the  weapons  with  which  the  Chinese  fight  demons  and  evil 
spirits,  in  constant  dread  of  whom  they  spend  all  their  lives. 

Shanghai,  March  20,  1880. 

The  present  stage  of  our  work  requires  the  best  gifts  of 
wisdom  and  prudence.  The  man  that  I  want  is  a  thoroughly 
educated  man;  one  who  has  taken  a  theological  course;  one 
who  loves  the  praise  of  God  more  than  the  praise  of  men;  one 
who  is  ready  to  devote  his  life  to  the  service  of  God. 

If  he  has  seen  some  service  at  home,  and  the  brethren  think 
he  can  be  spared,  so  much  the  better.  The  man  who  can  find 
nothing  to  do  at  home  is  not  the  man  for  China.  I  crave  a  man 
of  the  best  gifts  of  body,  mind,  and  spirit,  and  a  sound  consti- 
tution. If  he  has  a  wife,  she  should  be  a  good  match  in  these 
respects,  and  a  real  helpmeet. 

Shanghai,  May  11,  1880. 

In  our  Shanghai  church  some  one  moved  that,  as  we  receive 
blessings  each  day,  we  should  contribute  daily.  This  was  unan- 
imously carried.  Also  that  the  minimum  contribution  should 
be  three  cash  per  day  (about  ten  cents  a  month).  Some  one 
proposed  that  one  very  poor  member  should  be  excused.  He 
objected,  saying:  "Do  not  I  want  the  reward  of  doing  good?" 
A  month  or  two  ago  he  handed  in  fifty  more  cash  than  the 
motion  required.  It  was  proposed  to  return  the  excess  to  him, 
but  he  declined  to  receive  it. 

"This  month,"  said  he,  "I  have  sold  a  piece  of  cloth  for  one 


Yates  The  Missionary.  215 

hundred  more  cash  than  I  expected.     I  also  did  a  job  of  work 
with   the  same  result.     I   make  a  thankoffering  of  twenty-five 

cash  on  each." 

Shanghai,  May  28,  1880. 

A  week  ago  we  received  two  Chinese  for  baptism,  and  ex- 
cluded one  for  getting  drunk  and  acting  disorderly.  Such  mem- 
bers, if  allowed  to  remain  in  a  church,  exert  a  bad  influence. 
Our  rule  is  to  keep  the  church  pure  and  active;  otherwise  the 
lazy,  dead  members  would  soon  degrade  and  kill  ofT  those  who 
are  active  and  consistent. 

If  a  church  member  feels  no  interest  in  the  spread  of  the 
Master's  cause,  and  fails  to  show  his  interest  by  praying  and 
working  for  it,  then  that  branch  is  wilted,  if  not  dead. 

It  is  hard  to  get  these  heathen  up  to  this  standard,  but  they 
are  coming  up  to  it  beyond  my  expectation. 

Dr.  Yates  interested  himself  at  this  time  and  subse- 
quently in  introducing  into  China  a  number  of  improved 
varieties  of  fruit  trees,  grape  vines,  and  berry  bearing 
plants.  He  was  especially  anxious  to  try  whether  the 
delicious  scuppernong  grape  and  certain  apples  which 
he  had  known  in  his  youth  could  be  naturalized  in  his 
adopted  home.  Mr.  S.  O.  Wilson,  who  at  that  time  had 
a  nursery  near  Raleigh,  sent  to  Dr.  Yates  all  the  trees, 
vines,  and  shrubs  that  he  asked  for.  The  freight  on 
these  was  cheerfully  paid  by  Dr.  Bailey,  of  Raleigh. 

Shanghai,  June  29,  1880. 
In   May — from   overwork,   the   doctor   says — I   had   a   severe 
attack  of  illness.     For  a  change  of  air,  I  went  to  Chefoo. 

It  was  during  this  sojourn  at  Chefoo  that  Dr.  Yates 
first  became  aware  of  the  presence  of  the  abscess  to 
which  frequent  references  are  made  in  his  subsequent 
letters.  This  soon  became  very  painful,  and  ultmately 
\/as  so  serious  a  matter  as  to  necessitate  repeated  surgi- 
cal operations,  and  even  to  imperil  his  life.  This  new 
atHiction,  as  will  soon  appear,  greatly  hindered  his  active 
ministry.  There  are  grounds,  however,  for  thinking 
"ihat  it  was  a  blessing  in  disguise,  for,  wh.iie  debarrei 


2i6  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Ironi  preaching,  he  devoted  himself  more  assiduously  to 
the  translation  of  the  New  Testament. 

The  life  of  each  of  God's  children  is  as  trnly  guided 
and  overruled  as  was  that  of  Joseph.  In  his  case  the 
veil  has  been  drawn  aside  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the 
divine  leading  revealed  to  us.  As  to  our  own  lives,  we 
csn  discern,  for  the  most  part,  only  the  humaii  influences 
vvhich  affect  them.  "What  I  do  thou  knowest  no'  now.'' 
And  yet  we  can  sometimes  understand,  at  least  in  part, 
how  tljc  sv\-eet  has  come  forth  from  the  bitter,  and  light 
from  darkness.  Perhaps  we  can  now  see  that  D**  Yates' 
manifold  trials  and  disappointments,  not  onlv  developed 
his  spiritual  lite,  but  actually  promoted  the  vvork  which 
they  seemed  to  have  interrupted  or  delayed. 

He  chafes  at  his  meager  opportunities  for  eany  edu- 
cation. But  when,  at  last,  his  chance  comes,  practical 
wisdom  has  been  acquired. 

Just  when  it  seems  most  needed,  his  ey^siglit  fails. 
As  a  result,  he  learns  to  sfteak  in  Chinese  iis  no  othe* 
foreigner  can  do. 

When,  after  many  years  he  has  "reached  the  Chinese 
heart,"  his  voice  suddenly  fails.  And,  lo,  the  native 
•  hurch  becomes  aggressive  and  goes  to  work. 

He  is  cut  off  by  war  from  supplies  from  home.  Then 
the  position  which  he  is  compelled  to  accept  to  make  a 
support  gives  him  unbounded  influence  w'lh  tie  Chi- 
nese, and  supplies  him  with  means  for  useii'.lnes<^. 

And  now  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  is  sent  to  buffet  him  anl 
threaten  to  drive  him  from  the  pulpit.  The  result  is 
the  translation  of  the  New  Testament  into  the  spoken 
language  of  many  millions. 

While  thus  disabled  and  suffering,  he  sorely  missed 
the  sympathy  and  help  of  his  wife  and  daughter.  They 
had  sailed  for  the  United  States  December  4th,  1879. 
More  than  twenty  years  had  elapsed  since  Mrs.  Yates 
had  met  her  kindred  in  North  Carolina.  On  November 
14th,  1880,  the  travelers  were  again  in  Shanghai. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  217 

Shanghai,  July  14,  1880. 
I  have  transhitcd  the  gospel  of  John  into  the  dialect  of  this 
province  and  have  carefully  revised  ray  translation  of  Romans. 
It  is  now  ready  for  the  press.  But  I  have  no  money.  Is  it 
possible  for  you  to  get  me  an  appropriation  of,  say,  $500  for 
an  edition  of  the  sacred  Scriptures  in  which  "baptize"  is  trans- 
lated "immerse,"  instead  of  "the  washing  ceremony,"  as  in  other 
versions?  If  not,  I  shall  have  to  sell  some  of  my  little  property, 
for  I  must  have  it.  It  is  my  intention  to  continue  devoting  the 
forenoon  of  each  day  to  translation  till  I  complete  the  New 
Testament  in  this  dialect. 

The  Board  authorized  a  special  effort  for  the  raising 
kA  the  amount  asked  for,  and  in  due  time  it  was  placed 
at  Dr.  dates'  disposal  for  the  publication  of  his  \ersion. 

The  Executive   Committee  of  some  Association  had 
ssked   Dr.  Yates  to  reconmiend  a  native  Chinese  mis- 
sionary to  be  supported  by  them,  and  to  report  to  them 
quarterly.     Extracts  fromi  his  reply  will  show  his  opin 
ions  as  to  the  wisdom  of  this  plan. 

Shanghai,  July  27,  1880. 

I  could  not  advise  our  friends  to  commence  a  separate  Mis- 
sion work  in  this  way.  In  fact,  I  am  now,  after  some  experience 
and  observation,  strongly  opposed  to  individuals,  companies  of 
individuals,  or  even  Mission  Boards  appointing  native  preachers 
direct,  and  fixing  their  salaries.  This  plan,  even  though  the 
man  is  placed  under  the  missionaries  of  a  station,  has  not  been 
found  to  work  well. 

Now,  if  the  brethren  will  undertake  to  support  the  Soochow 
station,  here  is  an  opportunity  for  them  to  have  what  they  may 
call  their  special  work.  This  they  can  do  by  depositing  their 
money  with  the  Board  at  Richmond,  and  I  will  draw  on  the 
Board.  This  is  the  safest  and  most  economical  way  of  trans- 
mitting  funds  to  this  field. 

The  Central  and  Raleigh  Associations  raise  my  salary  in  this 
way,  and  they  do  not  demand  a  report  from  me.  I  should  like 
to  spend  a  few  months  with  those  Baptists.  What  a  grand  work 
they  might  do!  Were  they  to  discard  the  old  idea  of  a  charity 
to  the  poor  heathen,  and  contribute  to  Foreign  Missions  as  an 


2i8  Yates  The   Missionary. 

net  of  worship  in  obedience  to  Christ,  and  contribute  an  average 
equal  to  that  given  by  my  little  church  from  among  the  heathen, 
they  would  raise  $60,000  annually  for  Foreign  Missions. 

The  following  paragraphs  from  Dr.  Yatts'  pen, 
ihongli  written  after  this  time,  give  fuller  expression  to 
some  of  the  opinions  advanced  in  the  foregoing  letter. 
'J  hey  seem  to  have  been  his  matured  convictions  as  to 
mission  methods: 

Having  my  eyes  and  ears  open  during  my  visit  to  the  United 
States,  I  could  not  fail  to  perceive  that  there  was  a  diversity 
of  views,  at  least  among  the  leaders  of  Ihe  churches,  in  certain 
quarters,  in  regard  to  the  method  of  carrying  on  the  Foreign 
Mission  work  through  a  Central  Board.  In  fact,  there  seemed 
to  be  a  sort  of  antagonism  between  certain  churches,  or  their 
leaders,  and  the  Foreign  Mission  Board.  That  this  state  of 
feeling  does  exist  has  been  evinced  by  private  letters  received 
since  my  return  to  China,  and  by  requests  from  more  than  one 
party  for  my  personal  receipt  for  moneys  contributed  for  the 
Foreign  Mission  work.  They  repose  every  confidence  in  me, 
but  they  seem  disinclined  to  entrust  their  funds  to  an  organiza- 
tion outside  of  their  churches.  They  must  be  jealous  of  the 
rights  of  their  church,  for  it  cannot  be  that  there  is  any  want  of 
confidence  in  the  high  toned  brethren  who  compose  the  acting 
Board. 

Dear  brethren  in  the  Lord,  this  state  of  things  ought  not  to 
continue.  Are  we  not  co-workers  in  the  great  scriptural  enter- 
prise that  has  for  its  end  the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom  over 
the  whole  world?  Then  let  us  not,  by  a  multiplicity  of  counsels, 
divide  and  weaken  our  forces  before  the  enemy.  Let  me  say 
in  love  to  all  who  have  had  scruples  about  co-operating  cordi- 
ally with  the  so-called  central  organization,  that,  to  carry  on  the 
Foreign  Mission  work  successfully  and  economically,  a  Board 
or  Committee  is  a  necessity. 

The  permanency  of  the  work  abroad  demands  that  it  be 
directed  and  supplied  by  a  Central  Board.  A  State  or  an  Asso- 
ciation, or  even  a  few  churches  might,  by  an  efTort,  send  out 
a  missionary  and  support  him  for  a  few  years.     But,  in  the  event 


Yates  The   Missionary.  219 

of  sickness  and  death,  etc.,  the  work  thus  commenced  is  liable 
to  become  a  total  loss.  An  organization  is  more  likely  to  have 
men  enough  in  the  field  to  look  after  the  work  of  one  who  may 
be  called  away,  till  his  place  can  be  supplied.  Hence,  the  work 
of  a  part,  if  done  through  the  Foreign  Mission  Board,  is  more 
likely  to  be  permanent  than  if  undertaken  independently.  A 
word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient. 

Another  evil  under  the  sun.  Having  appointed  a  Board, 
which  is  nothing  more  than  a  committee  of  all  the  churches,  to 
attend  to  their  foreign  work,  by  far  too  large  a  proportion  of 
the  churches  act  as  though  they  felt  that  the  responsibility  of 
looking  after  and  providing  for  the  missionaries  depended  on 
the  Board. 

Dearly  beloved,  let  us  not,  by  a  want  of  unity  of  views  and 
concert  of  action,  neglect  the  work  committed  to  us.  Let  us 
unite  our  forces,  contribute  of  our  means  as  an  act  of  worship, 
and  press  forward  till  all  idolatry  and  all  false  religions  shall 
be  swept  from  the  earth,  and  Christ  shall  be  crowned  Lord  of  all. 

Shanghai,  Septembci  9,   1880. 
To  his  Sister: 

You  have  seen  my  pets,  my  queens,  and  now  know  more 
about  them  than  I  do.  I  have  had  rather  a  hard  time  all  alone, 
with  a  terrible  abscess.  It  was  operated  on  in  July;  and  now, 
after  two  months,  the  wound  still  refuses  to  heal.  My  general 
health  is  good,  and  I  hope,  sooner  or  later,  to  get  rid  of  this 
thorn  in  the  flesh. 

My  work  is  progressing  slowly.  As  usual,  God  is  my  refuge 
and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble. 

S must  cultivate  the  habit  of  reading  good  books,  and 

must  read  much  aloud  to  you.  She  must  complete  her  education 
by  study  at  home.  And  she  must  make  it  a  rule  not  to  pass  by 
anything  that  she  does  not  know;  if  a  word,  to  look  it  up  in  the 
dictionary;  if  a  place,  to  look  it  up  on  the  map.  And  she  must 
try  to  remember  everything  of  importance  that  she  hears  and 
reads.  She  must  not  devote  any  hour  to  fiddle-faddle,  but  be 
at  some  sort  of  work.  The  mind  needs  food  and  clothing  as 
well  as  the  body. 

Give  my  love  to  my  old  friend  John   C.   Wilson,  my  son  in 


220  Yates  The   Missionary. 

the  ministry.  ]\Iay  the  Lord  continue  to  bless  his  labors.  If 
he  will  study  the  Bible  with  my  glasses,  he  will  find  that  Foreign 
Missions  is  the  whole  gospel.  The  prophets  told  what  should 
be  the  extent  of  Christ's  kingdom;  and,  when  He  came,  suffered, 
and  rose  again,  His  teachings  was,  Go:  preach  to  all  nations. 

Shanghai,  September  21,  1880. 

Strange  things  reach  me  from  Soochow.  After  P'ay  had 
preached  from  "The  light  of  the  body  is  the  eye,"  etc.,  a  man 
with  sore  eyes  came  up  and  asked  if  he  could  do  anything  for 
his  eyes.  P'ay  said  that  he  was  not  a  doctor,  but  that  he  had 
some  eye  medicine.  He  applied  some  salve,  and  told  the  man 
to  believe  in  Jesus,  who  was  able  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind 
and  to  save  his  soul.  Strange  to  say,  in  less  than  twenty-four 
hours  the  man  came  to  show  him  that  his  eyes  were  well. 

Soon,  others  came  to  be  treated,  and  in  a  short  time  they  too 
were  all  well.  Of  course  the  news  spread  from  mouth  to  mouth. 
All  who  came  were  healed. 

A  man,  racked  with  pain  all  over,  who  had  been  given  up 
by  the  native  doctors,  came,  or  rather,  was  brought.  P'ay 
firotested  that  he  was  not  a  doctor;  that  he  preached  Jesus  as 
the  Saviour  of  all  who  believe.  The  man  insisted  that  he  be- 
lieved, and  begged  to  have  something  done  for  him.  Where- 
upon, P'ay  had  him  stripped  and  rubbed  him  all  over  with  his 
eye  medicine,  prayed  over  him,  and  told  him  to  go  and  believe 
in  Jesus.  He  came  back  that  same  day  to  show  that  he  was  well, 
and  to  return  thanks. 

P'ay  sent  for  the  Kwinsan  pastor  to  come  to  Soochow  at 
once.  After  seeing  with  his  own  eyes,  the  latter  came  straight 
to  me  to  report  and  to  deliver  messages  from  P'ay,  who  says 
that  he  has  no  time  to  preach,  except  to  the  crowds  of  all 
classes  who  come  for  treatment. 

I  am  not  fully  satisfied  that  all  I  hear  is  reliable.  I  send  you 
what  I  hear  and  the  evidence. 

Oh,  for  men  and  women  to  reap  these  fields  now  white  unto 
the  harvest!  Men  and  women  so  consecrated  to  God  that  they 
would  not  think  of  position,  honor,  comfort,  or  even  life  itself. 
For  God  takes  care  of  all  these  things  in  the  case  of  those  who 
commit  themselves  to  him. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  221 

Shanghai,  November  7,  1880. 

This  has  been  a  glorious  day  with  me.  At  9:30  I  preached 
in  Enghsh  at  my  new  church  on  the  Great  Commission  Then 
I  baptized  three  men,  an  Enghshman,  a  Swede,  and  an  Ameri- 
can. They  said  that  they  were  not  satisfied  with  their  baptism 
in  infancy,  and  wished  to  obey  Christ — beHeve,  and  then  be 
baptized. 

At  10:30  I  took  the  pulpit  again  and  preached  to  a  house  full 
of  Chinese.  After  the  sermon,  we  had  a  good  communion 
season.  This  occupied  my  time  till  12  o'clock.  Then  I  went 
to  my  room,  and,  after  earnestly  asking  God's  blessing  on  the 
labors  of  the  day,  I  sat  alone  in  sweet  meditation  upon  that 
precious  promise,  "And  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,"  and  upon 
the  fidelity  of  Christ  in  fulfilling  His  promises.  My  cup  of  bless- 
ing ran  over,  and  —oh,  well,  I  just  had  a  good  swim  in  the  love 
of  God.  The  cup  of  blessing  is  so  near  to  every  Christian,  and 
yet  how  few  ever  partake  of  it. 

Shanghai,  November  15,  1880. 

Yesterday  at  noon  we  had  the  great  joy  of  welcoming  home 
Mrs.  Yates  and  our  daughter,  Mrs.  Seamans.  They  arrived  in 
fine  weather,  and  in  good  health  and  spirits.  During  the  entire 
voyage  of  over  two  months  they  did  not  encounter  a  single 
storm.  Such  a  thing  is  unprecedented.  They  are  delighted  above 
measure  to  be  at  their  own  home  ojice  more.  Truly  God  has 
been  good  to  mc  and  mine.     Blessed  be  His  name  forever. 

The  abscess  has  assumed  a  serious  character,  and  causes  me 
some  trouble  and  anxiety. 

Shanghai,  November,  1880. 
Mrs.  Yates  to  Dr.  Tupper,  Cor.  Sec: 

The  trip  to  America  did  me  great  good.  It  was  tiresome,  all 
that  journeying  and  jolting,  but  I  am  so  much  stronger  that  I 
feel  repaid. 

I  do  not  think  that  it  would  have  been  well  for  me  to  stay 
there  much  longer  There  was  so  much  to  enjoy,  and  then, 
America,  as  a  country  is  so  much  more  attractive  than  China 
that  I  might  have  found  myself  unwilling  to  come  back  here. 
But  being  here,  I  am  well  content  to  stay  and  try  to  do  a  little 
good  among  the  women  and  children  of  China. 


222  Yates  The   Missionary. 

It  was  during  these  months  of  suffering  and  anxiety 
that  Dr.  Yates  wrote  the  latter  portions  of  tlie  remi 
niscences,  condensed  extracts  from  which  are,  perhaps, 
the  most  interesting  parts  of  our  story.  In  a  letter  date  J 
November  29,  1880,  he  said:  "My  reminiscences  are  like 
a  bamboo,  having  many  joints  and  no  style.  The  last 
batch  was  written  amid  forty  interruptions." 

He  began  these  reminiscences  with  these  inlroduc- 
tory  paragraphs: 

I  deem  no  apology  necessary  for  consenting  to  write  a  series 
of  letters  about  myself  and  work,  which  must  of  necessity  con- 
tain much  of  autobiography,  for  mj'^  sole  aim  in  doing  so  is 
to  promote  the  glory  of  God  in  the  extension  of  Christ's  king- 
dom among  men  of  all  nations. 

In  pursuance  of  this  design,  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to  pursue 
trains  of  thought  that  were  suggested,  at  the  time,  by  the  vari- 
ous situations  in  which  I  have  been  placed  at  home  and  abroad; 
and  to  animadvert  freely  upon  whatever  I  think  will  be  of 
service  to  such  as  may  be  in  similar  situations  in  life,  increase 
the  efficiency  of  the  churches  of  Christ,  and  promote  the  glory 
of  God. 

What  I  shall  have  to  say  of  the  incidents  of  my  life  before 
I  sailed  for  China  in  1846,  was  written  more  than  thirty  years 
ago. 

On  the  eve  of  his  departure  for  China,  in  1885,  Rev 
D.  W.  Herring  wrote,  *T)r.  Yates'  reminiscences  were 
among  the  means  by  which  God  showed  me  my  duty." 

Shanghai,  December  14,  1880. 

The  year  1880  has  been  one  of  sore  trial  and  affliction  in  the 
flesh.  But  I  feel  that  I  am  nearer  to  my  heavenly  Father  and 
able  to  hold  sweeter  communion  with  Him  than  ever  before. 

Regular  services  from  three  to  five  times  a  week  have  been 
maintained  at  our  two  Shanghai  churches.  Also  at  Tong-ka- 
pong,  Kwinsan,  and  Soochow.  For  a  time  P'ay,  who  was  in 
charge  in  the  latter  city,  was  evidently  blinded  by  the  glare  of 
popularity,  and  I  feared  that  there  was  great  danger  of  his  being 
carried  away  by  the  current  of  fame  and  lost  to  the  cause  in  the 


Yates  The   Missionary.  223 

provincial  city.  But  late  news  from  there  reports  him  as  being 
very  penitent  and  as  co-operating  cordially  with  Deacon  Tsung. 

If  the  work  is  to  be  continued  here  with  any  hope  of  prog- 
ress, we  must  have  more  men.  I  want  to  occupy  the  cities 
along  the  Yang-tsz  River  between  Shanghai  and  Ichang,  a 
distance  of  over  eight  hundred  miles.  Fifty,  or  even  a  hundred, 
men  could  be  located  to  great  advantage  along  this  river;  but 
so  long  as  the  great  majority  of  the  pastors  in  the  South  feel 
but  little  interest  in  Foreign  Missions,  how  is  this  field,  now 
leady  for  occupation,  to  be  supplied?  If  Christians  could  only 
see  and  feel  that  the  spirit  of  Missions  is  the  very  life  and  spirit 
of  the  Gospel  and  obligatory  upon  all  alike,  it  would  seem  to  be 
an  easy  matter  for  all  our  churches  to  average  one  dollar  per 
member  each  year  and  support  fifty  men  in  China  as  easily  as 
they  now  do  three  or  four.  My  native  members  do  more  than 
this. 

Mrs.  Yates'  school  for  girls  and  my  school  for  boys  have  been 
vSustained  at  our  expense.  I  hope  in  days  to  come  to  receive 
fruit  from  these  schools.  Some  of  Mrs.  Yates'  girls  can  repeat 
from  memory  the  whole  of  Matthew  and  Acts,  and  also  "My 
two  Friends." 

Dr.  Yates'  opinions  as  to  mission  schools  and  In's 
grounds  for  thes(i  opinions  had  been  fully  expressed 
before  The  Missionary  Conference: 

I  wish  to  say  a  word  in  favor  of  schools  as  a  means  of  eradi- 
cating idolatry. 

The  Chinese  are  nearly  all  idolaters.  Many  years  ago  I 
resolved  to  find  out  the  secret  by  which  so  many  millions  were 
all  made  of  one  mind.  A  Chinese  friend,  who  would  not  him- 
self give  me  the  desired  information,  told  me  that  if  I  would 
go  to  a  certain  temple  on  the  first  and  fifteenth  of  the  month, 
I  could  find  out  for  myself.  I  went  and  took  a  position  where 
I  could  see  what  was  to  be  done  before  the  idol.  Soon  a  well 
dressed  Chinese  lady  came  in  with  three  children,  aged  about 
three,  five,  and  seven  years.  The  two  older  boys  ran  forward 
and  performed  their  prostrations  in  the  usual  way,  and  then 
called  their  younger  brother  to  come  forward  and  do  as  they 
had  done. 


224  Yates  The   Missionary. 

But  this  was  evidently  the  child's  first  visit  to  the  temple, 
for  he  was  very  much  frightened  at  the  sight  of  the  idol,  though 
this  had  been  screened  so  as  to  show  only  the  face,  and  thus 
rendered  less  hideous.  The  mother  dragged  the  child  into  the 
proper  position,  and,  standing  behind  it,  forced  it  to  bow  slightly 
three  times.  She  then  adroitly  extracted  from  her  commodious 
sleeve  a  variety  of  toys  and  candies  and  gave  them  to  the  child, 
saying  that  the  god  had  given  him  these  nice  things  because 
he  was  a  good  boy.  She  then  asked  him  to  thank  the  god, 
and  he  did  it. 

I  remained  at  the  temple  most  of  the  day  and  witnessed  the 
induction  of  the  children  into  the  mysteries  of  idolatry. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  the  month  I  was  in  my  old  position  again. 
Soon  the  mother  with  the  three  children  entered.  The  youngest 
was  not  so  frightened  as  before,  but  went  of  his  own  accord  into 
position,  saying  to  his  mother,  "I  don't  know  how  to  do  it." 
He  was  assisted  and  rewarded  as  before.  The  other  boys  wished 
to  know  why  they  were  not  rewarded,  and  got  the  answer,  ''Be- 
cause you  are  bad  boys." 

From  that  time  that  child  was  an  idolater.  The  fright  and 
the  presents  had  welded  the  chain. 

Now,  schools  for  children  provide  for  their  religious  teach- 
ing till  they  are  too  old  to  be  deceived  in  this  way.  And  there 
is  every  reason  to  hope  that  those  who  have  spent  a  few  years 
in  a  foreign  school,  when  they  become  mothers,  will  not  de- 
ceive their  offspring  before  an  idol. 

A  letter  from  Mrs.  Yates  to  a  lady  in  the  United 
States,  written  at  this  time,  contains  particulars  about 
her  ''school  for  girls."  Her  views  about  beneficence  aro 
very  suggestive. 

Just  now  we  are  building  a  new  school  house — a  boarding 
school  for  girls.  With  our  daughter's  help,  we  intend  to  pay 
all  expenses  without  asking  money  of  the  Board  or  of  any  one 
else.  I  do  not  have  much  faith  in  money  that  has  to  be  begged. 
Free-will  offerings  are  what  I  like. 

For   example;    I    do   not   suppose   that  ever   asks   her 

brothers  for  anything.     But  they  love  her  so  dearly  that  they 


Yates  The  Missionary.  225 

are  constantly  giving  her  presents.  Suppose  they  had  to  be 
begged  and  reasoned  with,  as  most  professed  Christians  have 
to  be  before  they  will  contribute  to  the  Lord's  work;  would 
she  have  the  same  pleasure  in  receiving  the  gifts? 

Now  I  have  come  to  feel  that  it  is  almost  an  insult  to  our 
Lord  for  money  to  be  given  for  preaching  the  gospel  m  heathen 
lands  because  somebody  begs  for  it.  We  are  willing  to  share 
our  good  things  with  those  whom  we  love;  have  we  any  right 
to  say  that  we  love  the  Lord  so  long  as  we  are  unwilling  to 
give  to  him?  On  this  ground  it  is  that  we  are  going  to  do  in 
this  new  school  what  we  can  ourselves,  asking  help  from  no  one. 

The  pupils  will  probably  be  few  at  first,  for  we  shall  allow  no 
foot-binding.  I  am  sorry  that  many  of  the  native  Christians 
cling  to  the  horrid  custom.  They  think  that  natural  feet  are 
ugly  and  cramped  feet  pretty.  They  say  that  no  desirable  young 
man  will  marry  their  daughters  unless  their  feet  are  bound. 
But  the  leaven  will  work,  albeit  slowly,  and  the  time  is  not  far 
distant  when  the  custom  will  be  abandoned. 

Shanghai,  Januarj'  12,  1881. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey: 

Is    old    Brother    David   Justice,    who   used   to   live   near    Mt. 

Vernon   church,   still   living?     If   so,    I   want   Brother   Skinner, 

at  his  earliest  convenience,  to  call  on  him  for  me,  kiss  him  on 

each   cheek   a   kiss   of   Christian   love,   and,   before   ne   receives 

his  crown  of  glory,  thank  him  for  his  prayers  since  I  have  been 

in  China,  and  for  all  that  he  did  for  me  while  I  was  at  college, 

striving  to  fit  myself  for  work  among  the  heathen. 

Shanghai,  May  3,  1881. 
Brother  Wong  has  just  returned  from  Kwinsan  and  Soochow 
with  a  glowing  account  of  the  encouraging  prospects  at  these 
stations.  The  brethren  there  have  a  working  spirit,  and  there 
are  many  enquiries  after  the  new  religion.  Most  Chinese  en- 
quirers, however,  grow  faint  hearted  when  they  find  out  that 
the  new  religion  amputates  all  sins. 

Shanghai,  January  14,  1881. 
Mrs.  Yates  to  a  relative  in  N.  Carolina: 
Time  runs  fast  away,  and  one's  life  gets  more  and  more  busy, 
15 


226  Yates  The  Missionary. 

at  least  mine  does,  so  that  the  things  I  most  desire  to  do  are 
often  left  undone.  I  cannot  tell  to-day,  as  you  generally  can, 
what  my  work  is  going  to  be  to-morrow.  All  manner  of  in- 
terruptions come  upon  us,  and  we  must  take  them  patiently, 
doing  cheerfully,  hour  by  hour,  whatever  is  required  of  us. 

For  the  last  month  I  have  been  editing  "Woman's  Work  in 
China,"  and  have  been  obliged  to  write  a  great  deal.  But  when 
I  have  put  up  and  mailed  about  seven  hundred  of  them,  my 
work  in  that  line  will  be  over  for  five  months.  Then  my  turn 
will  come  again. 

Shanghai,  May  31,  1881. 
To  Rev.  J.  P.  Boyce,  D.D.: 

Enclosed  please  find  two  hundred  dollars  to  be  used  for  the 
present  necessities  of  the  Seminary.  If  I  were  rich,  I  would 
cheerfully  add  two  or  three  ciphers  to  the  amount.  I  am,  how- 
ever, thankful  to  be  able  to  contribute  my  mite,  for  I  delight 
in  spending  and  being  spent  in  a  work  which  has  for  its  object 
the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom  among  men.  For,  until  the 
pastors  of  the  churches  at  horae  are  taught  that  it  is  their  duty 
?nd  privilege  to  preach  the  gospel  to  all  nations,  there  is  but 
little  hope  for  the  poor  heathen. 

We  shall  continue  to  struggle,  as  the  Seminary  is  now  strug- 
ling,  for  existence.  But  it  is  God's  work,  and  he  will  provide 
?nd  give  us  grace  for  our  day  and  trial.  It  has  been  no  small 
trial  to  work  alone  for  nearly  nineteen  years;  and  yet  I  have 
not  been  alone,  for  I  have  been  permitted  to  prove  that  the 
promise,  '"Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,"  is  true. 

My  affectionate  regards  to  your  fellow  laborers  who  are  co- 
workers with  me  in  the  Lord. 

This  was  neither  the  first  nor  the  last  of  Dr.  Yates 
gifts  to  the  Southern  Baptist  Theological  Seminary, 
tn  1879  ^^^  1^^^  contributed  three  thousand  dollars  to  the 
permanent  endowment.  More  and  more,  to  the  last,  he 
believed  that  there  was  a  close  relation  between  tho 
work  of  the  Colleges  and  the  Seminary  and  his  owni 
beloved  work  in  China.  And  the  interest  in  missions 
uniformly  and  practically  show^n  by  College  and  Semi- 


Yates  The   Missionary.  227 

nary  men,  when  they  become  pastors,  proves  ihat  lie  was 
right. 

Shanghai,  June  15,  1881. 

I  preach  every  Sunday,  but  am  not  allowed  to  move  around 
freely.  This  is  a  real  trial.  If  I  am  spared  a  more  serious  op- 
eration than  I  have  yet  undergone,  I  hope  there  will  be  no 
further  serious  interruption  in  my  work  of  translating  and 
preaching.  But,  if  I  have  to  submit  to  that  dreaded  operation, 
I  may  be  unfitted  for  work  all  summer.  The  will  of  the  Lord 
be  done.     He  has  guided  us  in  the  past. 

My  friends  must  not  think  of  me  as  a  sick  man.  I  am  as 
stout  as  a  Hercules,  and  as  erect  as  a  Belvidere. 

Shanghai,  June  27,  1881. 
To  his  Sister: 

My  general  health  is  very  good;  but  that  wound  is  not  yet 
well.  It  is  sometimes  almost  well,  and  then  it  will  get  worse 
for  a  while;  and  that  is  the  way  I  drag  along  from  day  to  day. 
It  has  not  been  better  for  thirteen  months  than  it  is  now.     But 

I  cannot  tell  when  it  may  get  worse  again.     I  ov^e  S a 

letter,  but  I  have  much  to  do  and  cannot  sit  long  at  a  time  for 
writing  without  injury.  If  she  will  have  patience,  I  will  pay 
her  all.  I  hope  she  remembers  that  she  was  not  created  and 
educated  for  ornament,  but  for  usefulness.  She  can  start  a 
Sabbath  school  at  your  country  church,  and  be  the  means  of 
good  to  others,  and  she  will  be  all  the  better  and  happier  for 
it. 

I  suppose  you  and  W begin  to  feel  old,  as  your  children 

are  all  grown.  You  must  not  yield  to  that  and  go  sliding  and 
groaning  about  like  old  people  sometimes  do.  It  is  my  inten- 
tion never  to  get  old.  My  hair  is  getting  gray,  but  my  heart 
is  as  young  as  ever.  I  am  not  so  springy  as  I  used  to  be,  but 
I  am  as  erect  as  an  Indian.  The  papers  talk  of  me  as  failing 
and  about  to  give  up.  If  you  could  see  me  you  would  say: 
"Why,  you  look  as  well  as  I  ever  saw  you." 

As  my  wound  has  to  be  dressed  twice  a  day,  I  do  not  go  into 
the  country  now,  but  I  preach  in  my  home  chapel  every  Sunday. 


228  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Shanghai,  July  12,  1881. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Many  globe  trotters  from  England  and  America  have  made 
flying  visits  to  some  of  the  ports  of  China,  have  seen  the  surg- 
ing waves  of  humanity,  and  have  picked  up  a  few  facts  and 
extravagant  statements  about  the  Chinese.  The  accounts  given 
them  for  their  entertainment  have  formed  the  sandy  foundations 
for  books  on  China  and  far  East. 

Now  such  a  book  may  be  entertaining  reading,  but  it  cannot 
he  accepted  as  a  reliable  account  of  a  country  which  is  almost 
as  much  a  terra  incognita  as  Atlantis. 

The  heathen  Chinese  are  said  to  be  "peculiar."  Is  it  strange 
that  they  are?  Their  civilization  is  what  it  was  in  the  days  of 
Socrates.  Until  recently  they  have  had  no  knowledge  of  the 
science  and  progress  of  the  Western  nations.  Their  symbolic 
characters  are  so  unlike  the  methods  of  writing  everywhere 
else,  that  they  have  never  been  able  to  avail  themselves  of 
Western  scientific  and  literary  works. 

On  the  other  hand.  Western  scholars  have  long  been  ignorant 
about  China  and  her  literature.  For  the  Chinese  ha\e  a  litera- 
ture, are  fond  of  learning,  are  laborious  students,  and  are  apt 
to  learn.  In  their  fifteen  year  course  of  study  for  government 
appointments,  they  commit  everything  to  memory,  and  thus 
acquire  wonderful  memories.  When  a  good  scholar  hears  a 
quotation  from  any  of  the  classical  books,  he  can  tell  you  in 
what  book,  chapter,  page,  and  line  it  is  to  be  found.  It  is  as 
familiar  to  him  as  the  position  of  any  letter  in  the  alphabet  is 
to  a  well  educated  boy  in  America.  If  we  studied  the  Bible 
and  the  law  in  that  way,  what  wonderful  theologians  and  law- 
yers we  should  be!  My  theological  class  repeat  from  memory 
half  a  chapter  of  the  Bible  every  morning.  Then,  after  I  have 
explained  the  advanced  lesson,  they  give  me  my  explanations 
of  a  succession  of  review  lessons. 

Though  the  education  of  a  small  portion  of  the  people  is  so 
thorough,  their  knowledge  forms  no  part  of  the  knowledge 
acquired  by  a  scholar  in  the  West.  Is  it  strange  that  they 
should  be  considered  "peculiar?" 

Chinese  bankers  and  business  men,   who  are   numerous,   are 


Yates   The   Missionary.  229 

Cjuite  equal  to  the  same  classes  in  the  West.     They  have  been 
not  inaptly  called  by  Europeans  "the  Yankees  of  the  East." 

As  farmers,  gardeners,  mechanics,  and  boatmen,  the  Chinese 
are  surpassed  by  no  other  people.  As  laborers,  they  are  patient, 
steady,  sober,  and  economical.  The  Chinese  make  excellent 
cooks,  house  servants,  and  laundrymen.  They  are  also  the  best 
of  shop  keepers. 

I  do  not  think,  however,  that  they  will  make  desirable  citi- 
zens for  the  United  States.  My  reasons  for  this  opinion  are 
numerous;  the  most  potent  is  that  their  inherent  instincts  to- 
wards vice  and  immorality,  their  lew  esteem  for  woman,  the 
utter  absence  in  them  of  a  moral  sense  of  honor  and  truthful- 
ness, the  absence  of  a  conscience,  except  with  reference  to  the 
dead,  unfit  the  Chinese  to  be  citizens  of  a  civilized  and  Chris- 
tian country. 

Shanghai,  July,   1881. 

Mrs.  Yates  to  the  Recorder: 

A  poor  Chinese  woman  came  to  me  a  few  days  ago  holding 
m  her  hand  something  wrapped  in  a  bit  of  paper.  Apologizing 
for  the  smallness  of  her  offering,  she  begged  that  1  would  re- 
ceive it  to  help  pay  for  the  new  school  house  that  we  are  build- 
ing. She  said:  "It  is  very  little,  but  I  want  to  do  something 
toward  it;  make  me  happy  by  accepting  this  little  mite." 

Unwrapping  her  httle  parcel,  I  found  four  dollars.  Glad  to 
see  that  she  had  it  in  her  heart  to  do  this,  I  thanked  her  warmly, 
but  said:  "Wc  do  not  need  this  money  for  the  school  house; 
you  can  find  other  ways  of  doing  good  with  it,  and  you  must 
let  me  give  it  back  to  you."  But  she  would  not  be  persuaded, 
and  said  that,  if  the  money  was  not  needed  for  the  house,  she 
would  buy  a  clock  for  the  school.  I  consented,  and  now  the 
school  hours  are  regulated  by  her  gift. 

Shanghai,  July  30,  1881. 

The  weather  is  very  warm.  When  I  left  church  yesterday, 
after  preaching,  I  presented  the  appearance  of  a  man  who  had 
just  waded  a  river  quite  up  to  his  neck.  Only  the  skirts  of 
my  coat  were  dry. 

My  general  health  is  very  good,  but  I  am  still  troubled  by 
my  thorn  in  the  flesh.     It  causes  much  pain  and  inconvenience. 


230  Yates  The  Missionary. 

Shanghai,  October  14,  1881. 
Last  Sabbath  I  baptized  four.     Others  who  seem  to  be  con- 
verted are  waiting  for  courage  to  meet  the  opposition  of  friends. 

Shanghai,  October  25,  1881. 

The  Hiang  Cheh  Baptist  Association  met  with  my  church 
on  October  17th,  and  remained  in  session  three  days.  It  con- 
sists of  thirteen  churches.  In  the  matter  of  contributions,  mine 
is  the  banner  church  of  China. 

Wong  is  a  hberal  Christian.  When  anything  is  required  that 
calls  for  contributions,  he  craves  the  privilege  of  doing  it  or 
of  having  a  large  share  in  it. 

Oh,  that  I  could  speak  to  North  Carolina  again! 

f 

The  association  referred  to  above  was  the  first  that 
ever  convened  in  China.  After  it  adjourned,  the  vener- 
able Dr.  William  Dean  wrote: 

The  meeting  of  a  Baptist  Association  in  China  was  more  than 
my  faith  could  grasp  forty  years  ago,  but,  by  the  wonderful 
grace  of  God,  I  have  this  year  been  permitted  to  behold  it. 

But,  while  beholding  the  grand  results  of  God's  grace  dur- 
ing the  last  half  century  in  China,  I  could  not  hide  from  my 
eyes  the  humiliating  spectacle  that  the  million  of  American 
Baptists,  with  all  their  wealth  and  wisdom  and  worldly  enter- 
prise, have  but  seven  Missions  in  China,  and  that  four  of  these 
are  left  each  to  the  superintendency  of  one  man.  Some  of  these 
have  been  threatened  with  the  grave  during  the  last  summer, 
and  the  surgeon's  knife  is  again  lifted  over  the  noble  body  of 
Dr.  Yates,  threatening  a  risk  to  his  precious  life. 

During  the  period  embraced  in  this  chapter,  no  less 
than  seven  times  had  the  surgeon's  knife  been  used 
with  the  hope  of  relieving  the  suflferer.  It  would  be 
easy,  were  it  proper  to  insert  the  letters  whiclt  tell  of  the 
repeated  operations,  not  only  to  move  the  sympathies, 
but  also  to  elicit  the  admiration  of  all  the  readers  of  this 
Story.  Fortitude,  patience,  cheerfulness,  trust,  shine 
through  these  letters.  A  delicate  play  of  humor,  also, 
is  not  lacking.  A  letter  written  in  November  closes. 
"Brother writes  that  the  bottom  of  his  Mission 


Yates  The   Missionary.  231 

has  dropped  out.  The  bottom  of  the  Shanghai  Mission 
^  regard  at  present  as  sound,  but  old."  The  closing 
months  of  1881  were  darkened  by  aggravated  suffering 
and  threatening  symptoms.  But  this  darkest  period 
was  just  before  the  dawn.    Relief  was  at  hanc. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

REACHING    OUT    FARTHER 1882-1884 AGE    63-65. 

HE  gradual  disappearance  of  "the  thorn  in  the 
tlesh"  enabled  Dr.  Yates  to  engage,  not  with 
more  zeal,  but  with  more  activity,  in  widening 
the  range  of  his  work.  There  is  much  that  is 
valuable  and  interesting  in  the  letters  of  this  chapter. 
but  those  which  refer  to  operations  in  Soochow,  "in 
morals,  the  Corinth;  in  learning,  the  Oxford;  and  i^ 
cctmmerce,  the  London  of  China,"  and  to  the  opening 
of  the  station  in  Chinkiang  are  of  special  historical  im- 
portance. 

Shanghai,  Febriiarj'^  zy,  1882. 
Yesterday,    for   the    first   time   in    three    months,    I    preached 
morning  and   evening,   and  am  none  the  worse   for   it  to-day. 
On   February  2nd  I   submitted  to  my  eighth  and  most   severe 
surgical  operation.     Now  I  am  about  well. 

Shanghai,   February,    1882. 
Airs.  Yates  to  Miss  N. : 

The  Chinese  New  Year  is  at  hand,  and  there  is  unusual 
bustle  in  our  crowded  streets.  It  is  rigidly  required  that  all 
debts  shall  be  paid  before  dawn  of  the  New  Year,  and  men  are 
hurrying  to  and  fro  to  get  money  for  this  purpose,  as  well  as 
to  provide  new  garments  and  little  luxuries  for  their  house- 
holds. 

Great  preparations  are  going  on  among  the  girls  in  our 
boarding  school.     They  have  all  been  over  to  wish  us  "Happ> 


232  Yates  The   Missionary. 

New  Year."  I  wish  you  could  have  seen  them:  they  looked  so 
nice  and  happy.  When  they  went  into  Mr.  Yates'  study,  he 
gave  each  one  enough  five  cent  pieces  to  make  a  set  of  buttons. 
Formerly  it  took  five,  now  the  fashion  has  changed  and  three 
are  enough. 

I  am  taking  great  satisfaction  in  this  school,  because  none 
of  the  money  for  its  support  is  obtained  by  begging. 

Mr.  Walker  is  domiciled  with  us,  and  is  at  work  on  the  lan- 
guage. He  was  not  a  little  surprised  at  the  foreign  part  of 
Shanghai  with  its  banks,  hotels,  daily  papers,  etc.  It  was  far 
different  when  Mr.  Yates  and  I  came  here.  We  have  seen  the 
streets  laid  out  and  the  houses  built.  This  great  foreign  settle- 
ment has  grown  up  around  us,  little  by  little,  during  our  so- 
journ of  thirty-five  years,  and  it  does  not  seem  strange  at  all 

to  us. 

Shanghai,  March  7,  1882. 
To  the  Recorder: 

You  will  rejoice  with  me  in  my  great  deliverance  from  a 
most  trying  affliction  which  has  disabled  me  for  two  years.  The 
surgical  operations  have  necessitated  incisions  eight  inches  in 
length  and  one  and  a  half  inches  deep, 

I  have  no  language  in  which  to  express  my  gratitude  to  God. 
T  can  only  say  that  I  feel  good  and  thankful  all  over,  and  am 
ready  to  take  my  place  at  the  front  again. 

From  what  I  can  see  of  the  doings  of  the  churches  at  home, 
more  attention  is  given  to  State  than  to  Foreigh  Missions.  Now, 
while  I  greatly  rejoice  in  the  success  of  every  branch  of  benefi- 
cent enterprise,  I  am  persuaded  from  the  teachings  of  Scripture 
that  to  send  the  gospel  to  all  nations  is  the  true  way  to  secure 
a  deeper  and  more  permanent  interest  in  all  other  benevolent 
enterprises. 

I  know  what  is  said  about  beginning  at  Jerusalem;  but  there 
is  nothing  about  remaining  there  till  all  the  city  and  regions 
round  about  were  won  to  Christ. 

Shanghai,  April  8,  1882. 
To  Mr.  J.  J.  T.  Reese: 

Why  is  it  that  the  whole  of  Asia,  extending  from  the  Pacific 
to  the  Mediterranean,  and  embracing  more  than  half  of  the 
population  of  the  globe,  is  left  so  long  in  moral  darkness?     It 


Yates  The   Missionary.  233 

is  because  the  disciples  of  Christ  in  former  ages  have  not  done 
their  duty;  they  have  not  obeyed  Christ's  command,  "Go  ye 
and  disciple  all  nations." 

Christ  did  not  die  for  Europeans  only.  He  died  for  the  whole 
world;  and  a  dispensation  of  the  gospel  is  committed  to  us 
who  have  it.  All  cannot  go  in  person  to  the  heathen,  but  each 
disciple — even  the  poorest — can,  according  to  his  or  her  means, 
help  to  send  and  support  those  who  can  go,  and  thus  have  some 
part  in  converting  the  world  to  Christ. 

Shanghai,  May  2,  1882. 
To  the  Recorder: 

I  am  engaged  in  field  work,  translating,  preaching,  and  teach- 
ing a  theological  class  four  times  a  week,  besides  incidental 
work.  I  am  now  told  that  another  operation  will  be  necessary 
to  complete  my  cure.  But  I  deem  it  best  to  let  well  enough 
alone.  A  small  thorn  may  be  needed  to  prevent  us  from  being 
exalted  beyond  measure. 

Yesterday,  in  a  final  review  of  my  translation  of  Mark  ix., 
I  came  upon  the  words,  "Everyone  shall  be  salted  with  fire: 
salt  is  good,  etc.''  Rather  a  hard  text  to  explain  in  Chinese  to 
an  inquisitive  Chinaman. 

I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  resume  my  work.  Just  in  the 
proportion  that  we  commit  ourselves  to  Him  whose  we  are,  we 
shall  be  useful  and  happy. 

Shanghai,  May  30,  1882. 

Last  Sunday  I  had  the  pleasure  of  baptizing  three.  We  ex- 
pect others.  May  the  little  stream  become  a  flowing  river  that 
shall  never  run  dry. 

As  soon  as  I  can  procure  a  suitable  place,  we  shall  constitute  a 
church  in  the  great  city  of  Soochow.  We  have  eight  Christians 
there  now.     They  will  do  for  a  stack-pole. 

The  field  is  widening,  and  the  work  accumulating  on  our 
hands.  Oh,  that  the  pastors  and  churches  could  be  aroused! 
Why,  sir,  they  do  not  contribute  enough  to  pray  over. 

I  believe  that  the  best  possible  investment  would  be  to  em- 
ploy the  right  man  to  labor  with  pastors,  impart  information, 
and  lead  them  to  see  the  teaching  of  Scriptures  as  to  Foreign 
Missions. 


234  Yates   The   Missionary. 

Before  it  was  ratified  in  1868,  Dr.  Yates  made  public 
liis  objections  to  tlie  Biirlingame  treaty  between  the 
United  States  and  China.  Especially  did  he  oppose  the 
article  which  opened  the  United  States  to  unrestricted 
immigration  from  China.  After  a  lapse  of  several  years, 
the  results  predicted  by  him  came  to  pass,  and  it  became 
evident  that  some  check  would  have  to  be  put  upon  the 
settling  of  Chinese  in  our  country.  While  this  matter 
was  under  discussion  in  Congress,  Dr.  Yates  wrote  an 
article  which  was  published  in  the  New  York  Herald, 
and  widely  copied  into  other  papers.  His  reasons  for 
thinking  that  the  Chinese  would  not  make  desirable 
citizens  are  of  more  than  ephemeral  interest. 

Those  who  are  willing  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  are 
of  the  poorest  class.  From  their  previous  condition  of  absolute 
slavery  to  idolatry,  superstition,  and  an  autocratic  government, 
they  are  unfitted  for  citizenship  under  a  civilized  government. 

Moreover,  the  Chinese  who  immigrate  to  the  United  States 
have  not  the  remotest  idea  of  becoming  citizens  or  of  having  any- 
thing to  do  with  the  government.  They  have  the  same  motives 
that  influence  foreigners  in  coming  to  China — the  hope  of  speed- 
ily making  fortunes  and  then  returning  to  their  native  land  to 
enjoy  them. 

Again,  all  Chinese  who  go  abroad  expect  to  return  before 
they  die,  in  order  to  be  interred  in  the  family  graveyard.  There 
only  can  they  partake  of  the  benefits  of  the  ancestral  offerings 
made  by  future  generations  to  the  family  tombs.  For  the  same 
reason,  if  they  die  abroad,  they  expect  their  friends  to  return 
their  bodies  or  their  ashes  to  their  native  land. 

Shanghai,  June  26,  1882. 

You  ask  whether  a  young  medical  doctor  could  be  useful  in 
China.  If  he  desires  to  labor  as  a  missionary,  his  knowledge 
of  medicine  would  be  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  him  and  to 
the  cause. 

I  have  long  since  come  to  the  conclusion  that  i  corps  of 
consecrated  laymen  would  be  of  great  use  to  a  mission,  if  the 
right  sort  of  men  could  be  had.  But  they  must  be  men  who 
have    the    spirit    of    Christ,    good    common    sense,    and    sound 


Yates  The   Missionary.  235 

judgment.  They  must  have  such  a  sense  of  obligation  to  and 
love  for  God  and  man  that  they  will  work  for  the  salvation  of 
men  even  among  the  most  degraded.  These  are  the  qualifica- 
tions that  will  make  a  working  missionary,  one  who  will  stick 
to  his  work  under  trying  circumstances  without  bemoaning  loss 
of  places  of  honor  and  ease  which  he  might  have  occupied  in 
his  native  land. 

A  full  course  at  college  and  then  at  the  Seminary  is  in  the 
highest  degree  desirable,  provided  that  this  extended  course 
does  not  induce  a  spirit  of  intellectual  pride,  to  the  neglect  of 
spirituality  and  consecration.  When  this  is  the  case,  even  the 
man  who  takes  the  highest  position  in  his  class  is  unfitted  to 
be  a  missionary  among  the  heathen. 

As  much  as  we  need  men,  it  will  never  do  to  appoint  every 
man  and  woman  who  applies.  From  cranks,  short  horns,  and 
men  lacking  common  sense,  good  Lord  deliver  us! 

One  more  word:  Whatever  may  be  the  exigencies  of  the 
work,  do  not  send  out  young  men  who  want  to  marry  till 
they  have  made  such  arrangements  as  will  render  it  unnecessary 
for  them  to  return  to  the  States.  A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufift- 
cient. 

Shanghai,  July  24,  1882. 

Brother  Walker  and  I  spent  Saturday  and  Sunday  at  Kwin- 
san.  These  meetings  with  the  little  church  in  the  wilderness 
are  refreshing  to  all  parties. 

I  then  went  up  to  Soochow  to  inspect  a  place  that  my  assist- 
ant there  deemed  desirable  for  a  chapel.  We  agreed  to  pur- 
chase it.  Before  the  rebellion,  Soochow  was  the  queen  city  of 
China.     It  is  still  a  great  city,  but  its  glory  has  departed. 

Rev.  W.  S.  Walker,  writing  of  this  visit  to  Soochow, 
raid:  "1  guess,  however,  that  Dr.  Yates  did  not  tell  you 
that  the  people  took  him  for  a  foreign  emperor  And 
no  wonrier,  for  it  took  four  men  to  carry  his  sedan  chair, 
'.\hich  was  a  Mandarin's." 

Shanghai,  September  25,  1882. 

August  was  spent  at  Chefoo  with  Mrs.  Yates,  who  has  been 
ill.  Yesterday  I  baptized  three.  There  are  prospects  of  a 
gracious    work   all   along   our   line   of   eighty-five   miles,   which 


236  Yates  The   Missionary. 

penetrates  a  region  of  many  millions  of  souls.  At  the  ends  and 
in  the  center  of  this  line  we  have,  in  all,  five  places  of  worship. 
There  are  other  places  to  be  occupied,  in  accordance  with  my 
plans.  Shall  I  be  permitted  to  see  this  done  before  I  lay  down 
my  armor? 

Shanghai,  October  2,  1882. 

Yesterday  I  baptized  a  man  and  hi.'^  wife.  The  Sunday  before 
I  baptized  three,  including  the  wife  of  one  of  my  class.  The 
other  two  were  young  men. 

I  have  rented,  at  $8.16  per  "moon,"  a  new  place  of  worship 
in  a  crowded  poition  of  the  English  Concession,  about  a  mile 
from  our  mission  premises.  It  is  furnished  with  seats,  lamps, 
and  pulpit,  and  with  chairs  in  an  enquirers'  room.  Yes<-erday 
afternoon  it  was  formally  opened  with  appropriate  exercises. 
The  hall  was  crowded,  and  I  was  agreeably  surprised  to  find 
that  the  people  conducted  themselves  decently.  Here  my  young 
men  and  Brother  Walker  can  exercise  their  gifts  without  em- 
barrassment. May  the  divine  blessing  rest  upon  this  new 
place  of  worship. 

I  have  also  purchased  a  place  in  the  great  city  of  Soochow. 
T  bought  directly,  i.  e.,  not  in  the  name  of  a  Chinaman,  and  for 
a  chapel.  This  I  consider  quite  a  triumph,  for  I  had  been  told 
that  it  was  impossible  to  buy  in  the  name  of  a  foreigner.  But 
I  did  not  propose  to  have  a  chapel  in  any  other  way  than  open 
and  above  board.     By  careful  engineering,  I  have  succeeded. 

In  reply  to  questions  asked  by  the  Board  some  time 
before  this,  a  missionary  of  long  experience  had  written. 

The  tenure  by  which  land  is  held  here  is  entirely  different 
from  what  it  is  in  America.  While  the  ground  is  usually  held 
in  the  name  of  a  Chinaman,  it  is  guaranteed  by  the  authorities 
to  the  foreigner  in  perpetuity.  When  the  deed  is  enrolled,  the 
authorities  bind  themselves  to  protect  the  claims  of  the  for- 
eigner. In  this  way  titles  to  real  estate  are  as  secure  in  China 
as  in  America.  And  it  is  better,  every  way,  for  a  Mission  to 
build  and  own  than  to  rent  houses. 

Shanghai,  November  21,  1882. 
The  Baptist  Encyclopedia  came  in  perfect  order.    It  has  some 
blemishes  on  the  inside,  however.     It  is  not  correct  history  to 


Yates   The   Missionary.  237 

say  that  I  supported  the  missions  of  the  Convention  in  China 
(luring  the  Civil  War  in  America.  I  did  what  I  could;  but  with 
us  all  it  was  a  case  of  "root  little  pig,  etc."  We  all  supported 
ourselves  as  well  as  we  could. 

Shanghai,  December,  1882. 

To  the  Recorder: 

It  is  a  melancholy  fact  that  a  large  number  of  missionaries 
irom  England  and  America  fail  to  accomplish  the  ostensible 
object  of  their  mission.  During  my  term  of  long  service,  it  has 
been  my  lot  to  witness  many  sad  failures.  I  fera"  that  the 
latent  cause  was  a  mistaken  call  to  the  work. 

The  divine  call,  I  would  say,  is  a  growth  and  not  a  sudden 
ebullition  of  feeling  called  forth  by  a  stirring  appeal.  The  latter 
is  too  ephemeral  for  the  stern  realities  of  aggressive  missionary 
life.  Nor  is  the  call  acquired  at  schools  of  learning.  It  is  the 
gift  of  God  in  answer  to  the  prayer,  "What  wilt  Thou  have  me 
to  do." 

Some  come  out  under  a  meteoric  call.  They  have  entertained 
emotional  and  romantic  views  of  the  work  among  the  heathen, 
and,  when  they  come  into  contact  with  the  objects  of  their 
compassion  and  find  the  work  different  from  what  they  ex- 
pected, they  soon  become  disgusted  with  themselves  and  their 
surroundings. 

Others  commence  their  preparatory  work  with  a  good  will 
and  a  firm  resolve.  But  when  they  penetrate  the  recesses  of 
the  language  and  encounter  thousands  of  mysterious  written 
characters,  they  fall  into  a  slough  of  despond.  Thei--  depression 
of  spirits  so  affects  their  health,  that  nothing  less  than  their 
native  air  is  deemed  sufficient  to  restore  them. 

Another  class  do  not  duly  consider  that  a  sound  body  is  an 
important  factor,  or  they  choose  companions  having  weak  con- 
stitutions. These,  at  the  threshold  of  a  seemingly  brilliant 
Cc-.reer  of  usefulness,  are  forced  to  leave  in  order  to  i-ave  life. 

All  these  classes,  since  they  accomplish  nothing,  i  call  fail- 
ures. From  these  disagreeable  and  expensive  experiments 
churches  and  mission  boards  might  learn  important  lessons. 

Another  class  of  missionaries,  good  and  learned  men,  sent 
out  ostensibly  to  evangelize  the  Chinese,  have  spent  their  time 


238  Yates  The   Missionary. 

and  energies  and  vast  sums  of  money,  not  in  preaching  the 
gospel,  but  in  educational  schemes.  But  the  tree  's  known  by 
its  fruit.  The  Morrison  High  School,  in  Hong  Kong,  has  been 
in  operation  thirty-five  or  more  years.  It  has  turned  out  many 
well  educated  men,  some  of  whom  have  amassed  large  fortunes. 
But,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  there  is  not  a  man  ot  influ- 
ence from  that  school  who  is  devoting  his  life  to  the  spiritual 
good  of  his  countrymen. 

The  result  of  these  educational  efforts,  from  a  religious  point 
of  view,  have  not  been  comparable  to  what  has  been  accom- 
plished by  those  who  have  devoted  their  time  and  talents  to 
preaching  the  law  and  the  gospel. 

Shanghai,  December  13,  1882. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  D.D.: 

Though  the  recent  operations  were  performed  on  a  most 
sensitive  part  of  my  body,  and  though  I  took  no  anesthetic,  I 
felt  but  little  pain.  My  doctors  said  that  they  had  seen  it  stated 
by  an  American  doctor  that  if  a  person  would  breathe  as 
rapidly  as  possible  under  an  operation,  he  would  not  feel  the 
pain  of  cutting.  They  wished  to  try  it  on  me,  and  I  assented. 
My  breathing  was  like  that  of  a  dog  on  a  hot  summer  day. 
When  Dr.  Macleod  told  me,  "That  will  do,"  I  was  surprised 
to  find  that  the  operation  had  been  performed.  I  have  tried 
i*:  three  times,  and  have  not  felt  more  pain  than  is  usually  in- 
flicted in  vaccination. 

What  is  the  philosophy  of  this  kind  of  anesthetic?  Is  it  simply 
a  diversion  of  the  mind? 

I  am  doing  no  work  just  now,  but  am  doing  a  dc^i  of  think- 
ing. This,  you  know,  is  not  good  for  the  machinery.  But  while 
I  cannot  do,  I  can  suflfer  His  will;  and  is  not  that  also  obedience? 
I  am  trying  to  learn  the  lessons  of  afflictions.  My  one  desire 
is  that  they  may  be  blessed  to  me  spiritually,  and  to  the  good 
of  Christ's  cause. 

Shanghai,  December  19,  1882. 

We  shall  now  open  an  out-station  at  Chinkiang,  distant  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  with  Mr.  Hunnex  in  charge.  We 
shall  begin  work  in  a  hired  house,  and,  when  the  work  requires 


Yates  The  Missionary.  239 

it,  we  shall  ask  for  funds  for  a  hall  in  the  native  style  of  archi- 
tecture. 

I  do  not  propose  to  build  costly  churches  in  foreign  style  in 
the  interior.  The  money  can  be  more  profitably  spent  in  sup- 
porting missionaries  and  making  them  comfortable.  That  is 
the  desirable  thing,  so  as  to  prolong  their  usefulness. 

This  is  not  the  first  intimation  that  has  appeared  that 
Dr.  Yates  believed  in  adequate  salaries  and  comfortable 
support.  It,  surely,  is  very  noble  for  missionaries  to  be 
willing  to  accept  salaries  which  would  only  provide  the 
barest  necessities  of  life,  and  w^hich  would  allow  no  pro- 
vision to  be  made  for  a  rainy  day  which  may  come  to 
them  as  to  others.  But  whether  it  w^ould  be  noble  in  the 
churches  to  allow  them  to  do  so  is  another  question. 
Would  it  be  the  highest  wdsdom  on  the  part  o^  either 
ihe  missionaries  or  the  churches?  Was  noi  Di.  Yates 
right  in  his  views  on  this  subject? 

While  a  student  at  Wake  Forest,  Mr.  D.  W.  Herring 
consecrated  himself  to  mission  w^ork  in  China,  and,  seek- 
mg  counsel,  opened  correspondence  with  Dr.  Yates. 
The  following  letter,  written  near  the  close  of  1882,  has 
i^een  greatly  abridged: 

Some  who  are  interested  in  the  foreign  mission  work  may 
press  you  to  cut  short  your  course  of  study  and  go  at  once. 
Give  these  entreaties  no  heed.  Answer  them  that  the  Lord 
has  called  you  to  a  great  work  which  requires  thorough  prepa- 
ration. 

Having  given  yourself  to  the  Lord  for  his  service  in  this 
glorious  work,  it  devolves  upon  you  to  look  well  to  your  men- 
tal, moral,  and  physical  outfit.  And,  first,  neglect  not  the  gift 
that  is  in  you — the  call  to  be  an  apostle  to  the  heathen.  Strive 
to  intensify  and  deepen  it.  Have  your  hour  for  devotion  when 
there  is  no  one  present  but  you  and  Him  whom  you  serve. 
Make  an  efifort  to  become  very  intimately  acquainted  with  Him. 
He  will  draw  very  near  to  those  who  draw  near  to  Him.  Imbibe 
His  spirit  of  earnest  solicitude  for  the  salvation  of  men  of  all 
nations.  See  if  you  cannot  make  a  more  complete  surrender 
of  yourself,  soul,  mind,  and  body,  to  God  and  to  the  guidance 


240  Yates  The   Missionary. 

of  his  Spirit.  Read  his  word  specially  to  know  what  His  will  is, 
and  what  he  requires  of  His  servants. 

Secondly,  your  outfit  will  be  incomplete  unless  your  mind  is 
thoroughly  equipped  with  a  complete  store  of  knowledge.  Do 
not  for  a  moment  entertain  the  idea  of  some  that,  with  a  good 
library,  you  can  read  up  on  theology.  Nothing  could  be  more 
misleading.  From  the  time  you  arrive  in  China  and  commence 
the  study  of  the  Chinese  language,  you  will  have  no  time  for 
the  study  of  theology.  A  new  religious  book  is  something  to 
which  I  have  been  a  stranger  for  thirty-six  years.  Do  not 
waste  time  in  reading  about  China  nor  take  a  course  of  study 
v/ith  reference  to  your  becoming  a  missionary.  Take  the  course 
which  will  enable  you  to  become  a  thorough  biblical  scholar. 
Avoid  mental  and  spiritual  laziness  as  you  would  the  plague. 
You  may  begin  your  missionary  course  before  you  reach  a 
heathen  shore.  Avoid  dignified  airs,  and  strive  to  be  a  perfect 
gentleman.  The  personal  influence  of  a  missionary,  his  appear- 
ance, manner,  and  spirit,  go  a  long  way  with  a  heathen  people 
toward  recommending  the  gospel  which  he  teaches.  The  quali- 
ties and  attainments  which  would  fit  you  for  any  position  in 
the  ministry  at  home  will  fit  you  to  be  a  successful  missionary 
in  China. 

Lastly,  your  health.  The  first  qualification  of  a  foreign  mis- 
sionary is  to  be  a  good  animal.  You  may  be  furnished  with  a 
first  class  instrument,  but  without  physical  strength  to  wield 
ii,  it  would  be  of  little  service  to  you.  Therefore  guard  your 
health  with  sedulous  care  as  to  the  Lord.  Live  well  and  take 
regular  exercise.  Play  lawn  tennis,  notwithstanding  what  the 
drones  may  say  about  such  sports  for  a  candidate  for  the  foreign 
mission  field. 

We  are  not  bound  to  observe  the  austerity  of  life  that  a 
superstitious  public  is  too  ready  to  prescribe.  The  Scriptures 
prescribe  no  such  austerity.  Exercise  in  the  open  air  is  nec- 
essary to  secure  health  of  body  and  mind,  and  to  preserve 
youthful  spirits.  From  the  time  I  entered  college  until  I  grad- 
uated, I  was  in  the  habit  of  running  two  miles  every  morning 
at  four  o'clock.  Even  now,  I  walk  my  two  miles  a  day.  I  am 
in  splendid  health,  for  which  I  am  profoundly  thankful. 


Yates  The  Missionary.  241 

Herein  is  not  only  sound  counsel  to  a  prospective  mis 
.-ionary — or  for  any  other  man,  for  that  matter,  but  a 
revealing  of  the  healthful  tone  of  mind  of  the  writer. 
Here  is  no  recluse,  stunted  and  shriveled  ':;>  ignorance 
and  false  devotion.  To  this  big-hearted,  wide-minded, 
well-rounded  man  consecration  and  zeal  did  not  neces 
sitate  austerity  of  life. 

Dr.  R.  H.  Graves,  of  Canton,  who  knew  him  inti- 
mately, wrote  a  few  months  ago: 

There  was  nothing  of  the  ascetic  about  Dr.  Yates.  He  lived 
on  generous  diet,  kept  a  hospitable  board,  and  surrounded  his 
home  with  many  comforts,  but  there  was  nothing  of  display 
or  extravagance.  His  motto,  stamped  on  some  of  his  letters, 
was  "Esse  quam  Videri,"  and  he  carried  it  out  in  his  life  with 
all  the  force  of  a  generous,  robust  nature. 

While  at  Wake  Forest  College,  Dr.  Yates  adopted^  as 
his  own  this  motto  of  the  Philomathesian  Society,  which 
has  recently  been  adopted  as  the  motto  of  the  State  of 
Xorth  Carolina,  Esse  quam  videri — "Fd  rather  be  than 
seem  to  be."  It  suited  him,  and  he  lived  up  to  it.  No 
man  ever  knew  him  without  being  impressed  with  his 
eenuineness  and  wholeheartedness. 

Shanghai,  January  8,   1883. 

I  shall  think  twice  before  I  attempt  the  difficult  task  of  trans- 
lating the  book  of  Revelation;  for  one  must  know  or  decide 
what  a  passage  means  before  it  can  be  put  into  Chinese.  I 
think,  however,  if  I  am  spared  to  get  so  near  the  end,  I  shall 
try  it  and  look  for  wisdom  from  above. 

My  health  is  very  good.  I  am  able  to  work  fourteen  hours 
a  day,  to  sleep  well,  and  eat  well.  I  weigh  240  pounds.  I  am 
very  thankful  for  my  mercies  and  privileges;  for  it  is  a  great 
privilege  to  do  the  work  that  I  am  attempting  to  do  for  the 
good  of  millions  yet  unborn. 

Referring  to  Dr.  Yates'  New  Testament  in  the  Shang 
hai  dialect,  Rev,  R.  T.  Bryan,  of  Shanghai,  says: 
16 


242  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Dr.  Yates'  practical  turn  of  mind  led  him,  when  translating 
the  New  Testament,  to  give  the  meaning  of  the  text  rather  than 
a  mere  transfer  of  the  words.  His  idea  seemed  to  be  to  give 
the  Chinese  something  that  they  could  understand.  For  ex- 
ample, instead  of  saying  ''No  place  to  lay  his  head,"  his  ver- 
sion says,  in  accordance  with  Chinese  idiom,  "No  body-resting- 
place."  He  knew  the  habits  of  thought  of  the  Cliinese  mind 
as  few  men  knew  them. 

Shanghai,  February,   1883. 
To  Rev.  T.  H.  Pritchard.  D.D.: 

As  to-day  is  Chinese  New  Year,  when  all,  from  the  Emperor 
down,  claim  a  holiday,  and  while  hundreds  of  thousands,  dressed 
in  their  best,  are  walking  the  streets,  cracking  watermelon, 
pumpkin,  sunflower,  and  other  seeds,  I  will  take  my  recreation 
in  writing  to  my  very  dear  friend. 

I  have  just  revised  and  put  to  press  an  edition  of  Mark  and 
Luke  in  the  vernacular.  The  four  gospels.  Acts,  and  Romans 
are  now  in  the  hands  of  the  people.  I  use  Alford's  Greek  text. 
It  is  surprising  to  find  that  many  translators  into  English,  as 
well  as  into  Chinese,  have  allowed  their  theological  views  to 
influence  and  mar  their  translations.  Oh,  how  I  should  like 
to  have  a  few  hours  talk  with  Broadus,  Boyce,  and  others. 
You  can  see  how  important  it  is  that  a  candidate  for  the  China 
missions  should  be  thoroughly  furnished. 

An  hour  and  a  half  is  spent  each  forenoon  with  my  class  of 
three  young  student  assistants.  They  commit  everything  to 
memory.  This  has  been  hard  on  them  and  on  me  too,  but  it 
has  made  new  men  and  good  preachers  of  them.  For,  if  a  man 
has  nothing  to  say,  he  can  say  nothing  worth  hearing.  I  have 
done  good  work  with  these  men;  the  result  will  go  on  down  the 
ages,  long  after  I  am  laid  aside. 

Homiletics  has  not  claimed  much  of  my  attention.  The 
Chinese  do  not  understand,  but  are  bewildered  and  frightened 
by  any  attempt  at  oratory.  In  1868,  just  before  my  voice  gave 
way,  I  was  preaching  on  the  second  coming  of  Christ,  and  had 
more  than  my  usual  "liberty."  I  perceived  that  my  congre- 
gation were  in  an  anxious  state  of  mind.  Why,  I  could  not 
tell.     Some,  who  were  not  members  of  the  church,  bolted  out 


Yates  The   Missionary.  243 

of  the  house,  declaring  that  I  made  the  Httle  dog  within  them 
bite.  Many  church  members  were  standing  up  and  wringing 
their  hands.  At  this  juncture,  an  old  sister  walked  up  to  my 
pulpit  and,  putting  her  hands  over  my  Bible,  exclaimed:  "Stop, 
he  is  coming,  and  we  are  all  frightened  to  death!"  I  saw  what 
was  the  matter,  and  turned  their  thoughts  to  the  joys  of  those 
who  should  be  ready  at  His  coming.  The  old  sister  returned 
to  her  seat  saying:  "That  is  the  kind  I  like." 

From  the  time  of  Abraham  until  now,  the  Chinese  have  not 
been  accustomed  to  public  speaking.  Their  speakers  sit  down 
and  talk  like  a  judge  on  the  bench,  and  make  gestures  with 
their  fans.  I  have  learned  to  use  one  too.  So,  if  I  am  ever 
permitted  to  enter  your  pulpit  in  warm  weather,  you  must  allow 
me  to  take  my  fan  and  use  it  too;  and  no  one  is  to  be  permitted 
to  smile.  And  if  I  should  inadvertently  break  info  speaking 
Chinese,  you  must  pull  my  coat  tail,  or  your  people  would 
laugh  at  me. 

You  will  see*  from  the  rough  chart  which  I  send  you  that  I 
am  projecting  and  laying  out  work  for  several  generations  of 
missionaries.  Hitherto  we  have  cultivated,  say,  a  hundred 
acres  only.  My  programme  encloses  ten  thousand  acres.  When 
I  stood  on  the  top  of  the  hill  in  Kwinsan,  a  few  days  ago,  I 
thought  of  the  Saviour  weeping  over  Jerusalem  and  shuddered 
as  I  contemplated  the  jungle  of  humanity,  the  fifty  millions 
in  this  plain  of  the  Yang-tsz,  who  care  no  more  for  Ya-soo 
(Jesus)  than  the  Jews  did  for  Him  who  wept  over  them. 

A  weighty  responsibility  rests  upon  you  pastors  at  home. 
All  around  the  globe  the  great  want  to-day  is  men,  live  men, 
whose  aim  is  to  live  for  God  and  humanity. 

Those  men  who  devote  much  thought  to  their  attire,  their 
comforts,  their  social  position,  and  the  impression  they  are 
making  are  consecrated  to  themselves.  Few  are  ready  to  ex- 
ercise the  grace  of  working  and  giving  and  sufTering.  Many 
avoid  the  posts  of  greatest  need,  and  seek  positions  of  personal 
ease  and  comfort.  The  position  desired  by  every  truly  conse- 
crated heart  is  where  service  is  most  needed  in  the  kingdom 
of  Christ. 


244  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Dr.  Yates'  humorous  suggestion  that  he  migl;{,  from 
torce  of  habit,  begin  to  preacl:  in  Chinese  from  Dr. 
Pritchard's  pulpit  in  Louisville,  recalls  a  pp.ragraph  in 
a  letter  from  Miss  Fielde  to  The  Chinese  Recorder  in 
November,   1888. 

So  completely  had  Dr.  Yates  made  the  Chinese  language  his 
own,  that  he  habitually  thought  in  it.  When  visiting  his  native 
land  he  found  that  he  had,  in  public  speaking,  to  translate  his 
thoughts  from  Chinese  into  English.  It  several  times  happened 
that,  after  he  became  absorbed  in  his  subject,  he  forgot  to  trans- 
late until  the  visible  astonishment  of  his  hearers  brought  him 
to  a  consciousness  that  he  was  speaking  Chinese  to  an  Ameri- 
can audience. 

Shanghai,  February  28,  1883. 
To  his  Sister: 

At  the  beginning  of  summer  I  shall  take  Mrs.  Yates  to  Che- 
foo,  five  hundred  miles  north  of  Shanghai,  where  it  is  cooler 
and  considered  much  more  healthy  in  summer.  A  summer  rest 
will  do  both  of  us  much  good.  I  have  had  too  much  work  on 
hand  for  a  long  time.  I  would  like  to  see  you  all  once  more; 
but  I  could  have  no  rest  if  I  were  to  go  home  for  a  season. 
I  cannot  well  leave  my  work  while  I  have  health  and  strength 
to  attend  to  it.  Perhaps  it  may  come  round  right  for  us  all 
to  go  sometime;  if  so,  we  may  meet  again  on  earth.  We  are 
all  homeward  bound. 

My  weight  is  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  pounds.  In  a 
few  years  my  hair  will  be  white,  or  nearly  so;  but  my  mustache 
and  eyebrows  are  as  black  as  ever. 

Shanghai,  June  19,  1883. 

On  Sunday,  June  loth,  the  Baptist  church  in  Soochow  was 
formally  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  true  God.  I  do  not 
say  "with  appropriate  services,"  for  the  opening  hymn  was 
unique,  as  an  unharmonious  medley.  Imagine,  if  you  can, 
twelve  Chinese  Christians,  men  and  women,  singing  the  same 
familiar  hymn  to  the  extent  of  their  different  voices,  each  one 
carrying  his  own  tune,  and  a  lone  missionary  with  stentorian 
voice,  trying  in  vain  to  lead  them  into  line  in  the  goud  old  tune 
usually  sung  thirty-six  years  ago  in  North  Carolina  to  "Jesus 


Yates  The   Missionary.  245 

bids  me  watch  and  pray."  It  was  a  medley  that  never  was  at- 
tempted before.  It  would  have  made  Mozart  mad.  Doubt- 
less they  sang  with  melody  in  their  hearts,  and  the  Lord  ac- 
cepted this  one  effort,  but,  believing  that  He  would  take  the 
will  for  the  deed,  I  declined  a  second  hymn. 

It  was  a  rainy  day,  but  the  house  and  yard  were  crowded 
with  people.  They  doubtless  thought  that  the  music  was  charm- 
ing. After  some  delay,  the  people  were  induced  to  sit  down. 
Then  I  commenced  to  talk  to  them,  and  succeeded  in  securing 
pretty  fair  order,  considering  that  it  was  a  green  audience  that 
knew  nothing  about  church  decorum.  Pastor  See,  of  Kwinsan, 
followed  me,  and,  on  the  whole,   the  dedication  seivice  was  a 

great  success. 

Shanghai,  June  26,  1883. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  D.D.: 

After  being  on  the  wing  for  more  than  forty  days,  I  am  at 
home  again,  well,  and  as  brown  as  an  Indian.  I  spent  several 
weeks  at  Chefoo,  trying  to  prepare  a  place  in  the  shape  of  a 
cottage  at  that  healthy  locality  by  the  sea.  Mrs.  Yates  can  now 
spend  the  summer  in  a  more  bracing  atmosphere;  and,  as  I 
have  had  more  than  a  decade  of  hard  labor  without  vacation, 
and,  during  the  last  two  years,  much  sufifering,  I  propose  to 
rest  with  her  this  summer. 

From  this  tin\e  until  his  death.  Dr.  Yates  spent  ar 
least  a  month  during  the  summer  at  his  cottage  by  the 
sea  at  Chefoo.  There  can  be  little  question  that  his  life 
was  prolonged  and  his  usefulness  enhanced  by  these 
brief  vacations.    The  following  letter  is  from  Mro  Yates: 

Chefoo,  August  2^,  1883. 

We  are  very  comfortably  established  in  our  Chefoo  bungalow, 

which,  standing  on  a  cliff,  gives  us  an  extensive  and  very  charm- 

nig  sea  view.     A  winding  stair  leads  down  to  our  bath  house. 

Comforts  are  easily  procured,  and,   as  American  children   say, 

we  are  having  a  good  time. 

Shanghai,  October  9,  1883. 

Mrs.    Yates    has    returned    from    Chefoo    much    improved    in 

health.     I   feel  repaid  for  the  trouble  and  expense  of  building 

the  bungalow. 


246  Yates  The   Missionary. 

The  general  excitement  among  the  people  about  the  attitude 
of  the  French  m  Anam  has  had  a  bad  influence  on  the  church 
and  on  enquirers. 

Shanghai,  October,  1883. 
To  the  Recorder: 

In  China  we  have  to  contend  with  more  of  the  wiliness  of  the 
old  serpent  than  was  to  be  found  among  the  negroes  of  the 
South  when  I  knew  them  many  years  ago.  Lying  is  a  national 
characteristic.  It  doubtless  is  with  all  heathen  nations.  Being, 
from  their  previous  condition,  destitute  of  the  basis  of  a  correct 
moral  sense,  it  is  not  strange  that  we  should  find  a  tendency 
even  among  church  members  to  depart  from  the  sirict  truth. 
They  are  from  among  a  people  with  whom  lying  is  a  science. 
Successful  lying  in  business  transactions  is  considered  com- 
mendable. It  is  a  part  of  their  education,  and,  consequently, 
of  their  nature,  to  lie  and  deceive.  It  is  not  reasonable  to  expect 
that  the  Chmese,  surrounded  as  they  are,  by  a  flood  tide  of 
heathenism,  will  at  once,  on  the  presentation  of  the  truth,  be- 
come absolutely  truthful,  honest,  and  chaste. 

We  Baptist  missionaries  adhere  mainly,  and  not  without  suc- 
cess, to  the  method  of  preaching  to  adults  repentance  towards 
God  and  faith  in  Christ  and  a  holy  life  as  the  only  way  of  salva- 
tion. This  is  not  a  popular  method,  for  the  Chinese  do  not  like 
to  be  told  that  they  are  sinners  before  God;  but  it  is  one  in 
which  we  are  not  likely  to  be  so  egregiously  imposed  upon  by 
knaves  and  hypocrites.  These  are  the  moral  lepers  of  some  of 
the  churches  in  China. 

We  are  not  opposed  to  schools;  on  the  contrary,  we  think, 
and  practice  what  we  think,  that  every  mission  should  have  a 
school  for  the  children  of  native  Christians. 

Neither  are  we  opposed  to  scientific  and  classical  schools  in 
themselves.  If  the  Chinese  wash  to  learn  English  and  the 
sciences,  let  them  employ  laymen  to  teach  them.  But  we  are 
opposed  toto  coelo  to  the  idea  that  the  ambassadors  for  Christ 
to  a  great  Empire  should  devote  their  time  and  energies  to 
teaching  English  and  the  sciences  for  secular  use,  and  then 
call  it  mission  work. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  247 

Dr.  Yates'  method  of  dealing  with  the  ''knaves  and 
hypocrites"  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  letter,  is  illus 
trated  by  an  incident  related  by  Dr.  Lambuth,  late  of 
Shanghai: 

A  man  came  to  Dr.  Yates  for  help,  and,  in  order  to  obtain  it. 
pretended  to  be  a  Christian.     Dr.  Yates  suspected  his  motives 
from  the  beginning,  and  at  length  said  to  him:  "If  you  are  a 
Christian  you  will  know  how  to  kneel  down  and  pray,  so  let 
us  pray."    The  man  was  quite  nonplussed,  as  he  had  never  seen 
a  Christian  kneel  in  prayer.     Putting  on  a  bold  face,  however, 
he  turned  around,  placed  his  knees  upon  his  chair  and  rested 
his  chin  upon  the  back.     This  seemed  to  be  the  only  position 
he  could  think  of,  but,  alas,  in  his  flurry  he  and  the  chair  both 
turned  over.     Whereupon  Dr.  Yates,  who  had  watched  the  per- 
formance closely,  placed  his  hand  upon  his  shoulder  and  said: 
"Get  down  on  your  knees  on  the  floor,  and  I  will  teach  you  how 
to  pray."     Chagrined  and  humiliated,   the  man   was  forced  to 
lepeat  each  petition  after  him.     It  is  useless  to  say  the  doctor 
made  him   acknowledge  before   the   Lord  that  he   was  an   im- 
poster  and  a  sinner,  and  had  come  there  to  deceive  the  very 
elect,   and   for   all   these   sins   he   now   humbly   implored   God's 
forgiveness. 

Shanghai,  November  13,  1883. 
In  October  I  attended  our  Baptist  Association  at  Ningpo, 
but  was  recalled  during  the  meeting  by  the  serious  illness  of 
Mrs.  Yates.  After  some  days  she  was  well  enough  to  admit 
of  my  going  to  Soochow.  There,  on  November  nth,  we  con- 
stituted a  Baptist  church.  This  is  the  second  colony  that  the 
mother  church  at  Shanghai  has  sent  out.  May  the  Head  of  the 
church  make  this  a  fruitful  vine. 

Shanghai,  January  7,  1884. 
To  Prof.  W.  L.  Poteat: 

The  thought  of  writing  to  one  at  my  Alma   Mater  revives 

memories   and  excites   emotions  of  an   endearing  kind,   tinged 

with  a  shade  of  sadness.     Wait,   Brooks,  Wingate,  and  others 

have  gone  to  their  reward.     But  I  love  Wake  Forest  still.     I 

still  know  Rev.  James  Purefoy,  whose  father,  when  I  was  yet 

a  boy,  was  the  first  minister  to  speak  to  me  about  my  soul's 


248  Yates  The   Missionary. 

salvation.  The  sainted  Mrs.  James  Purefoy  and  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Brooks,  were  kind  to  me.  Again  and  again  they  ministered 
to  my  necessities.  Such  are  the  persons  who,  though  they  die, 
continue  to  hve  on  in  the  good  deeds  done  unto  the  Lord  in 
the  persons  of  his  httle  ones. 

Since  I  offered  myself  a  living  sacrifice  to  the  Lord  Jesus  to 
v.'ork,  and,  if  necessary,  to  die,  in  this  land  of  moral  darkness. 
I  have  toiled  against  wind  and  tide,  but  in  hope.  For  a  number 
of  years  we  were  nominally  restricted  to  the  Treaty  Ports.  But 
missionaries  gradually  worked  their  way  beyond  the  prescribed 
boundary;  to-day  they  can  preach  the  gospel  in  any  part  of  this 
great  Empire  except  the  province  of  Honan.  This  grand  re- 
sult has  been  effected,  not  by  the  authority  of  the  great  treaty 
powers,  but  by  the  energy  and  pluck  of  missionaries  who  were 
able  to  speak  the  language  and  enlighten  the  suspicious  people 
as  to  their  object  in  coming  to  China. 

Have  we  made  an  impression  upon,  and  had  any  success 
among  these  people?  Yes,  we  have  had  much  success  when  we 
consider  how  few  the  laborers  have  been.  The  great  obstacles 
in  the  way  of  workers  have,  except  the  language,  all  been  re- 
moved. And  now,  by  the  preparation  of  suitable  books,  that 
gulf  has  been  bridged,  and  the  passage  is  comparatively  easy. 
We  have  three  chapels  here  and  a  church  of  eighty-two  mem- 
bers. We  have  chapels  and  organized  churches  in  Kwinsan 
and  Soochow,  and  a  rented  chapel  at  Chinkiang.  From  your 
standpoint,  you  may  not  be  able  to  perceive  the  extent  and  value 
of  what  we  have  accomplished.  It  is,  nevertheless,  real  prog- 
ress and  grand  in  its  prospects  and  possibilities. 

Shanghai,  February  2,  1884. 
To  Rev.  A.  E.  Dickinson,  D.D.: 

Would  that  you  could  drop  in  for  a  few  days  and  take  a 
trip  with  me.  I  would  show  you  the  three  salient  angles  of  our 
circuit,  the  centers  about  which  turn  the  business  of  thirty  mil- 
lion heathen,  not  semi-Christians,  such  as  are  found  in  Mexico 
and  South  America,  but  real  heathen,  men  and  women  who 
are  almost  as  blind  and  emotionless  as  the  gilded  gods  of  wood 
and   clay  which   they  worship.      And   this   worship   is   with   the 


Yates  The   Missionary.  249 

hope,  not  of  being  paidoned  and  saved,  but  of  being  prospered 
in  business  and  blessed  with  long  life. 

You  would  see  such  a  wave  of  humanity  pass  in  review  before 
your  eyes  as  they  never  before  witnessed.  And  I  would  tell 
you  that  every  man  and  woman  in  all  this  great  and  motley 
pageant  is  without  God  and  without  hope.  You  would  see 
where  and  how  we  have,  through  so  many  years,  held  the  fort 
alone  for  the  Southern  churches.  You  would  see  the  two 
advanced  and  strategic  positions  that  we  have  taken  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  enemy's  country.  You  would  then  realize,  as  you 
could  in  no  other  way,  the  crying  necessity  for  three  new  men, 
thoroughly  equipped,  to  hold  these  stations  and  to  advance 
against  the  stolid  indifference  that  confronts  us. 

Such  an  excursion  would  be  an  inspiration  which  would 
enable  you  to  thrill  the  Convention  in  Baltimore  next  May. 

Shanghai,  March  i,  1884. 

The  doctor  says  that  a  visit  to  America  is  nfecessary  for  Mrs. 
Yates'  health.  For  this  I  can  make  any  sacrifice.  She  refuses 
to  travel  on  the  money  of  the  churches,  and  her  "rip  will  be 
without  expense  to  the  Board.  I  shall  try  to  manage  it  out 
of  my  salary.  I  had  thought  that  in  1885  I  would  cake  her  to 
the  United  States  for  a  good  rest.  But  now  that  I  am  alone 
at  this  mission,  this  will  be  impossible  till  Herring  and  Bryan 
get  through  with  their  studies  and  come  out  and  become  some- 
what familiar  with  the  language. 

I  shall  be  left  entirely  alone  for  a  year.     Cannot  ,  who 

is  about  to  complete  his  course  at  the  Seminary,  be  prevailed 
upon  to  come  to  me?  This  is  a  call  from  one  of  the  Lord's 
little  ones.     May  he  have,  also,  a  call  from  the  Mastei. 

We  are  now  the  oldest  foreign  residents  in  this  part  of  China. 

Shanghai,  March  18,  1884. 
I  find  that  as  one  grows  in  years  in  trying  to  save  souls,  work 
seems  to  accumulate.     But  by  and  by  we  shall  have  a  long  time 
to  rest. 

My  wife  and  daughter  make  their  contribution  for  missions 
by  supporting  a  boarding  school  for  girls  after  their  own  plan. 
Binding  of  the  feet  is  not  allowed.  They  will  not  lend  their 
aid  to  maiming  children  for  life. 


250  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Last  Sabbath  it  was  my  great  privilege  to  baptize  the  three 
eldest  of  the  school  girls,  aged  18,  17,  and  15.  Oh,  it  was  a 
real  pleasure  to  me  to  perform  that  baptismal  service!  There 
was  joy  in  the  city  on  that  day,  and  when,  after  baptism,  I 
gave  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  invited  the  female 
members  to  do  likewise,  there  was  a  rush  to  grasp  the  hands 
of  the  young  sisters;  and,  as  they  did  so,  they  nearly  all  laughed 
audibly.  This  is  a  way  of  theirs;  when  they  feel  happy,  Chinese 
Christians  do  not  shout,  but  laugh.  There  was  joy  in  heaven 
too. 

Shanghai,  March  31,  1884. 

I  had  secretly  promised  myself  that  when  Brother  Walker 
should  be  well  in  harness,  I  would  take  Mrs.  Yates  away  for 
a  good  rest  and  change  of  climate.  But  Mr.  Walker's  break- 
down and  return  has  frustrated  all  this  plan.  She  has  stood  by 
me  in  this  foreign  work  for  more  than  thirty-seven  years.  Now 
she  has  been  out  of  health  for  a  year.  In  order  to  give  her  the 
change  which  the  doctor  says  she  needs,  and  to  avoid  leaving 
the  Shanghai  mission  without  anyone  in  charge,  we  must  sub- 
mit to  separation  for  a  year  or  more.  With  our  daughter  and 
son-in-law,  she  sailed  for  New  York  March  27th.  They  will 
probably  spend  the  summer  at  Asheville,  N.  C,  wheie  we  hope 
that  quiet  rest  and  pure  bracing  air  will  recuperate  her  strength. 

It  remains  to  be  seen  whether  or  not  I  can  bear  the  strain 
of  my  position.  A  year  of  constant  work  and  the  loneliness  at 
meals  and  of  evenings  will  be  a  terrible  draft  upon  me.  for  I 
am  no  longer  young,  and  am  not  made  of  steel 

For  labor  among  the  millions  of  stark  heathen  in  this  hard 
field,  send  us  men  of  large  faith  and  unwavering  moral  courage, 
men  who  will  seize  this  Chinese  bull  by  the  horns  and  hold  on 
till  the  animal  is  tamed.  It  is  the  language  that  constitutes 
the  horns. 

If  I  could  see  the  stations  at  this  Mission  reinforced  and 
equipped  as  I  have  urged,  I  could  use  the  language  of  good  old 
Simeon.  Oh,  my  dear  brother,  I  am  being  killed  ofT  here,  not 
so  much  by  the  work  I  am  doing  as  by  what  I  want  to  do  and 
cannot  do  for  lack  of  prompt  and  liberal  suppoit  by  the 
churches  at  home.     May  God  help  the  poor  heathen. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  251 

Shanghai,  April,  1884. 
The  trees  and  shrubs  sent  by  Mr.  S.  O.  Wilson  have  reached 
me  in  good  condition.  The  scuppernong  grape  vines  and 
blackberry  bushes  have  been  planted  in  my  garden.  I  hope 
that  in  future  years  they  will  prove  a  blessing  to  millions  in 
this  part  of  China. 

At  the  Northern  Baptist  Anniversaries  in  May,  1884, 
President  J.  B.  Angell,  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
who,  after  serving  as  a  treaty  commissioner,  had  re- 
turned from  China  to  this  country,  said:  "Di.  Yates, 
more  than  any  other  man  in  China,  has  shown  what  tlv: 
gospel  can  do  for  the  Chinese." 

The  impression  made  by  Dr.  Yates'  searching  ap- 
peals upon  a  young  student  who  was  present  a;  a  mass 
meeting  in  Richmond  in  1859,  ^^^^  already  been  men- 
tioned. After  many  years  of  usefulness  in  the  ministry, 
he  wrote  to  the  veteran  missionary,  telling  him  of  his 
experience  and  thanking  him  for  the  thrilling  w^ords 
which  had  brought  him  into  the  ministry.  Here  is  a 
portion  of  the  reply: 

Shanghai,  May  8,   1884. 
To  Rev.  Chas.  H.  Ryland,  D.D.: 

My  dear  son  in  the  ministry:  I  had  finished  my  day's  work 
in  translating  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  and,  being  all  alone 
(my  family  being  on  their  way  to  the  United  States),  I  was 
seated  in  my  easy  chair,  meditating  on  the  goodness  and  mercy 
of  God  in  preserving  me  and  mine  so  long  in  this  hard  field, 
and  wondering  how  much  good  I  had  accomplished,  here 
and  at  home,  when  your  letter  was  handed  to  me.  I  read  it 
with  deep  emotion  and  with  sincere  gratitude  to  God  for  en- 
abling me  to  know  that  I  had  been  made  the  instrument  of 
leading  one  man  to  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  Jesus. 

I  am  so  glad  you  wrote  me  about  it.  My  heart  rejoices  in 
God.  It  is  an  inspiration,  a  strong  incentive  to  work  on  and 
sow  beside  all  waters.  Oh,  it  is  such  a  joy  to  live  and  work 
for  Christ!  And  it  is  a  blessed  thing  to  seek  the  guidance  of 
the  Spirit  and  to  follow  Him  in  all  things,  even  when  one  toils 
all   alone   where   no    one   can    know   and   appreciate   his   work. 


252  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Even  that  would  be  a  great  support  to  a  lone  watchman  on 
the  borders  of  this  far  ofif  land.  But  the  Lord  knows  it  all, 
and  he  has  promised  to  be  with  me  always. 

The  Convention  is  now  in  session  in  Baltimore.  I'll  stop 
writing  and  telegraph  them  to  sing,  "From  Greenland's  Icy 
Mountains."  That  will  remind  them  that  I  am  among  the 
living,  and  that  I  want  men  and  the  means  with  which  to  equip 
them.  This  is  the  nearest  that  I  can  come  to  being  present  and 
grasping  the  whole  Convention  by  the  hand. 

Well,  I  have  spent  $19.56,  and  that  stirring  tune  is  speeding 
its  way  around  the  world.  And  may  the  Lord  grant  a  blessing 
upon  this  expenditure  out  of  my  own  pocket.  May  it  prove 
to  be  an  inspiration  to  some  one.  Oh,  that  I  could  have  trans- 
ported myself  thither  for  two  days. 

And  now,  my  dear  brother,  I  love  you  more  than  you  can 
know.  Having  no  son  in  the  flesh,  I  shall  ever  love  you  as 
my  son  in  the  gospel. 

May  9. — Received  answer  to  my  telegram:  "The  joyful  sound 
proclaim."    The  song  was  heard  in  Shanghai. 

It  is  interesting  to  recall  in  this  connection  that  on 
the  same  day  that  the  old  music  teacher  was  .=inginir 
the  missionary  hymn  in  Shanghai,  the  Convention  con- 
tributed $2,500  for  the  Chinkiang  Chapel,  and  adopte.i 
the  following  resolution,  which  had  been  presented  by 
Pev.  W.  E.  Hatcher,  D.D.: 

Resolved,  that  we  tender  to  Dr.  Yates,  our  oldest  missionary, 
our  tenderest  sympathies  in  his  present  affliction,  and  that  we 
authorize  him  to  go  forward  in  the  work  of  building  his  long- 
needed  chapel. 

Shanghai,  May  20,  1884. 

I  am  happy  to  say  that  I  have  secured  for  the  Mission  a  most 
desirable  piece  of  property  in  Chinkiang.  When  it  Is  equipped, 
it  will  be  vmique,  and  will  be  the  most  commanding  and  de- 
sirable situation  in  the  city  for  mission  work.  1  cannot  but 
think  that  we  have  been  guided  by  the  great  Head  of  the  church. 

Shanghai,  Mav  31,  1884. 
On    May    i8th    Brother   W.    J.    Hunnex   was    ordained   by   a 
presbytery  consisting  of  myself,  as  chairman,  and  Rev.  Wong 


Yates   The   Missionary.  253 

Ping   San,  .clerk.     The   services— sermon,    charge,    prayer,    and 
benediction,  were  ?11  in  Chinese.     I  am  well  but,  oh,  so  tired. 

Mr.  Kimnex  had  become  dissatisfied  with  the  open 
communion  views  of  the  English  Baptists  with  whon. 
he  had  been  connected.  Having  been  accepted  by  thj 
Southern  Board,  he  had  been  stationed  at  Chinkiang, 
in  Januarv,  18S3.  As  a  lay  preacher  in  the  employ  of 
the  Inland'  Mission  he  had  already  labored  in  that  city. 

Chefoo,  July  24,  1884. 

To  Mr.  Freeman: 

The  true,  safe,  and  economical  way  to  convey  money  to  me 
and  to  other  missionaries  is  through  the  treasury  of  the  Board. 
Why  should  your  Sunday  school  have  any  scruples  about  doing 
this?  You  are  willing  to  entrust  your  money  to  me,  whom  you 
know  not;  why  not  entrust  it  to  the  great  and  good  men  who 
compose  the  Board?  They  have  been  appointed  by  the  Bap- 
tists of  the  whole  South  to  attend  to  this  particular  business. 
They  are  deeply  interested  in  the  same  foreign  mission  work 
that  you  and  I  are.     In  unity  there  is  strength. 

You  want  to  know  if  I  own  any  land  in  China.  Yes,  I  own 
a  litde  less  than  two  acres.  During  the  Civil  War  in  America, 
I  invested  in  land,  as  above  stated,  leased  it  for  a  term  of  years, 
and  employed  a  Chinaman  to  look  after  it  and  collect  the  rent. 
I  am  happy  to  say  that  my  investment  has  increased  in  value, 
and  that  I  have  an  income  from  it  sufficient  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  myself  and  wife  whenever  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  travel 
for  health,  and  also  to  supplement  my  salary  so  as  to  enable 
us  to  live  comfortably.  A  missionary's  salary  is  specified  to  be 
a  comfortable  support.  And,  to  a  conscientious  man,  an  eco- 
nomical support  is  not  sufficient  to  keep  him  in  good  condition 
for  work  in  Shanghai. 

A  man.  as  an  animal,  is  in  some  respects  like  a  horse.  If 
you  attempt  to  keep  your  mountain  team  on  four  nubbins  and 
one  bundle  of  fodder  at  a  meal,  you  will  soon  see  the  effects 
on  their  working  capacity.  So  it  is  with  a  man,  and  especially 
with  a  m.issionary.  He  must  have  a  strong  body  that  he  may 
have  a  strong  mind  and  powers  of  endurance  in  the  midst  of 


254  Yates   The   Missionary. 

privations  and  disappointments.  I  am  happy  to  say  that,  sir»ce 
I  have  been  able  to  add  to  my  allowance,  I  have  had  rest  of 
mind,  vigorous  health,  and  have  been  able  to  do  good  work. 
I  thank  God  for  my  little  acres. 

Present  my  best  love  and  benediction  to  your  Sunday  school. 
May  they  all,  early  in  life,  give  their  hearts  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
and  experience  his  saving  powder.  Tell  each  one  to  go  into  the 
woods  and,  by  the  side  of  a  big  tree,  pray:  "God  be  merciful 
to  me  a  sinner."    That  is  where  I  commenced. 

It  was  during-  this  year  that  Dr.  Yates  strongly  urge  1 
Japan  as  a  mission  field  upon  the  attention  of  Southern 
Baptists.  He  also  presented  for  the  Board's  acceptance 
for  that  field  the  name  of  a  missionary  wlio  liad  been 
baptized  by  him  into  the  fellowship  of  his  church. 

The  first  missionaries  ever  sent  out  from  the  Unitea 
States  to  Japan  had  gone  under  the  patronage  of  th^ 
Richmond  Board.  They  had  been  lost  at  sea.  To  :?■ 
man  of  his  vigorous  common  sense  and  strong  f^ith  this 
afforded  no  reason  why  others  should  not  be  sent.  To 
the  end  of  his  life  he  manifested  peculiar  interest  in 
Japan  as  an  inviting  field  for  Southern  Baptists 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

A    DANGER    SIGNAL 1 884- 1 88/ AGE   65-68. 


HE  "thorn  in  the  flesh,"  bringing  bodil}  suffer- 
ing and  mental  anxiety,  is  again  sent  to  buffet 
the  lone  toiler.  But  that  is  not  the  worst 
Prolonged  overwork  begins  to  teH  on  a  con  • 
stitution  which,  humanly  speaking,  might  have  endured 
more  moderate  drafts  upon  its  powers  for  twentv  years 
longer.  The  first  note  of  warning  is  now  sounded.  He 
bears;  he  knows  what  it  means;  but  he  cannot,  will  not 
drop  his  beloved  work,  save  for  l)rief  intervals  of  rest  a: 
Chefoo.    Piteous  are  the  appeals  for  reinforcement.    Yet 


Yates  The   Missionary.  255 

dear  and  strong  through  it  all  rises  a  strain  of  cheerfui 
hope  and  trust. 

Chefoo,  August  29,  1884. 

I  have  been  on  a  visit  to  the  Tungchow  Mission.  It  was 
very  refreshing  to  have  so  many  of  my  own  faith  and  order 
with  whom  I  could  confer  about  our  general  work  and  hold 
sweet  social  converse. 

The  war  with  France  has  turned  the  hearts  of  the  people 
against  all  foreigners.  The  Chinese  are  very  angry,  for  they 
believe  the  French  to  be  to  blame.  We  cannot  expect  to  do 
mort;  than  hold  our  own  during  the  war  excitement. 

Chefoo,  August  29,  1884. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Early  in  July  I  went  in  a  shentsz  (mule-litter)  to  visit  our 
missionaries  at  Tungchow.  This  vehicle  might  be  photo- 
graphed, but  is  not  easily  described.  It  consists  of  two  shafts, 
eighteen  feet  long,  joined  together  at  the  ends  by  a  sort  of 
frame  made  so  as  to  fit  on  a  pack-saddle.  These  shafis  are  about 
live  inches  in  diameter,  and  are  not  at  all  springy.  And  there 
are  no  wheels  to  the  thing.  In  the  center  is  a  matted  frame- 
work which  extends  about  three  feet  above  and  eighteen  inches 
below  the  shafts.  Within  this,  to  soften  the  traveller  s  seat,  are 
placed  millet  stalks.     Over  these  is  placed  his  bedding. 

Now  the  word  is  given  "Sang  shentsz"  (all  aboard).  This 
deponent  crawled  in  (the  front  is  always  open),  and  turned 
over  to  take  a  sitting  position,  with  very  long  legs  extended, 
?nd  feet  resting  against  a  cross  bar  that  held  the  shafts 
together.  Four  strong  men  raised  the  rear  end  of  the  shafts 
and  the  mule  walked  under  until  the  frame  fitted  into  the  pack 
saddle  on  its  back.  The  same  operation  was  repeated  in  front, 
for  it  takes  two  mules  to  carry  one  man.  The  tail  of  one  mule 
was  at  my  feet,  and  the  head  of  the  other  at  my  back.  Imagine, 
if  you  can,  how  this  long  stifif  thing  turns  a  short  corner,  where 
the  streets  are  ten  feet  wide. 

The  motion,  when  the  road  allows  the  mules  to  keep  step 
together,  could  be  endured  for  a  while;  but,  as  the  roads  are 
often  gullies,  filled  with  loose  stones,  it  is  impossible  for  the 
patient  animals  to  walk  together.     The  result  is  a  fore  and  aft 


256  Yates  The   Missionary. 

motion  and  then  a  hard  up  and  down  motion.  I  am  sure  that 
a  can  of  milk  sent  in  a  shentsz  from  Chefoo  would  have  all  its 
butter  on  the  surface  when  it  reached  Tungchow. 

The  trip  of  a  day  and  a  half  going,  and  the  same  coming 
back,  made  me  ill  for  a  month.  I  am  twenty-four  pounds  short 
of  my  usual  weight. 

Chefoo,  September  15,  1884. 

In  visiting  the  Tungchow  mission  in  July,  I  rode  over  the 
mountain  roads  in  a  mule  litter.  This  method  of  conveyance 
is  considered  in  that  region  to  be  the  most  respectable  and  com- 
fortable way  of  traveling.  The  motions  of  a  shentsz  are  three, 
the  sieve  motion,  the  pepper-box  motion,  and  the  bottle-wash- 
ing motion.  Either  of  these  for  a  day  and  a  half  is  enough  to 
wreck  a  man  of  my  weight  and  constitution.  It  was  about  as 
excruciating  as  riding  on  a  rail.     No  more  shentsz  rides  for  me. 

If  Mrs.  Yates  gets  worse,  I  shall  have  to  go  to  her  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Board.  My  little  store  cannot  stand  all  the  strain 
I  would  willingly  put  upon  it. 

By  the  last  mail  I  answered  the  communication  of  a  com- 
mittee in  regard  to  accepting  the  Presidency  of  Wake  Forest 
College.  I  could  not  come  down  from  the  position  of  an  Am- 
bassador for  Christ  to  an  Empire,  to  become  President  of  the 
College  or  to  accept  any  other  position  in  the  gift  of  the  people 
of  the  United  States. 

Missionary  work  everywhere  in  China  is  paralj'zed  by  the 
war.  Native  Christians  have  been  sorely  and  wantonly  perse- 
cuted. I  shall  not  build  the  chapel  at  Chinkiang  till  peace  and 
order  are  restored. 

Shanghai,  October  27,  1884. 

I  am  sorry  to  say  that  I  am  again  in  the  hands  of  the  surgeon. 
A  week  ago  I  was  operated  on  for  the  ninth  time.  That  ride 
in  July  bruised  the  cicatrices  of  my  old  trouble  and  caused 
serious  inflammation.  There  may  be  need  for  another,  and, 
for  a  man  of  my  age,  a  more  serious  operation.  But  we  will 
take  no  thought  for  the  morrow;  Christ  is  our  leader 

There  ought  to  be  ten  men  for  this  Mission.  Kwinsan,  Soo- 
chow,  and  Chinkiang  should  be  independent  stations  as  soon 
as  there  are  men  who  can  take  charge. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  257 

I  am  so  anxious  to  see  these  fields  occupied  before  I  lay- 
aside  my  armor,  that  nothing  but  my  own  impecuniosity  pre- 
vents me  from  going  to  the  United  States  to  seek  men  for  my 
field  in  which  I  have  labored  alone  for  twenty  years. 

But,  since  I  cannot  do  that,  I  must  wait.  But  to  me,  in  my 
affliction,  it  seems  a  great  pity  that  the  work  I  have  labored  so 
hard  to  set  in  motion  should  come  to  a  dead  stand-still  for  the 
lack  of  men  to  keep  it  going. 

Shanghai,  November  19,  1884. 

I  am  determined  to  stand  for  a  converted  membership  that 
will  advocate  the  cause  of  Christ  without  being  paid  for  it  out 
of  a  Mission  treasury.  This  position  is  God's  truth;  it  must 
and  will  prevail.  Self-support — natives  to  support  native 
preachers,  and  foreign  churches  to  support  foreign  mission- 
aries— is,  in  my  judgment,  the  point  to  be  aimed  at  by  mission- 
aries and  boards.  History  shows  that  the  hope  that  the  next 
generation  of  Chinese  Christians  will  be  more  spiritual  is  vain. 
There  is  no  power  in  evil  to  improve  itself.  The  tendency 
is  to  degeneration.  Those  Chinese  who  adopt  the  new  religion 
for  its  commercial  value  will  sport  a  ritual  as  they  do  their 
classics.  But  a  ritual  is  not  a  passport  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord. 
For.  unless  the  soul  be  divinely  quickened,  the  observances  of 
the  grandest  ritualism  are  as  worthless  in  the  sight  of  God  as 
n  galvanized  corpse. 

Shanghai,  December  3,  1884. 

Two  doctors  called  on  Friday  to  see  what  ought  to  be  done. 
When  they  decide,  then  I  shall  decide — not  to  submit  to  a 
tenth  operation  unless  absolutely  necessary.  In  order  to  have 
my  family  at  home  before  I  submit  to  the  surgeon,  I  can  sub- 
mit to  a  good  deal  of  suffering.  As  I  am,  I  can  preach  at  home 
and  translate. 

I  want  the  Board  to  remember  the  first  mission  they  estab- 
lished in  China.  Men  and  means  for  Soochow,  Chiiikiang,  and 
Shanghai  are  absolutely  necessary.  The  work  at  all  these 
stations  is  flat  for  lack  of  men.  I  have  done  what  I  could 
alone  to  locate  and  extend  the  work,  and,  to  some  extent,  sup- 
ply it  with  preaching— God  is  witness.  But  that  must  stop  now 
till  I  am  rid  of  my  thorn  in  the  flesh. 
17 


258  Yates  The   Missionary. 

In  December,  1884,  Dr.  Yates  published  in  a  South 
trn  paper  an  article  entitled,  "A  Growing  Evil,"  in  whicn 
were  these  paragraphs: 

It  has  become  quite  a  common  thing  for  associations,  mis- 
sionary societies,  etc.,  to  desire  special  work  abroad.  Some 
want  to  support  a  native  pastor,  some  an  assistant,  and  others 
a  Bible  wonian.  Some  want  to  know  if  they  can  send  funds 
directly  to  me  without  their  going  through  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sion Board,  and  how. 

Now  the  effect  of  each  and  all  of  these  schemes  upon  the 
individuals  who  receive  appointments,  and  upon  the  spiritual 
growth  and  best  interests  of  the  work  abroad  is  evil  and  only 
evil. 

A  calm  consideration  of  the  best  interests  of  the  work  at 
home  and  abroad,  and  loyalty  to  my  Lord  and  Master,  will 
not  allow  me  to  advocate  any  scheme,  however  encouraging 
it  may  appear,  which  has  an  evil  tendency.  Hence  I  have  ad- 
vised against  special  work  being  undertaken  by  societies  and 
associations  independently  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board.  It 
savors  of  a  degree  of  opposition  to  or  want  of  confidence  in 
the  Board. 

Shanghai,  January  17,  1885. 

I  am  about  to  leave  for  Chinkiang  to  see  about  commencing 
the  work  of  building  the  chapel  there.  It  is  urgent.  I  do  not 
propose  to  wait  on  the  French  any  longer. 

Shanghai,  February  ii,  1885. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  D.D.: 

If  I  had  some  one  to  take  charge,  I  should  cable  Mrs.  Yates 
to  remain  another  year  and  I  would  join  her  in  Am'rica.  But 
I  am  alone,  and  would  sooner  take  the  consequenc-'S  of  hold- 
mg  on  than  forsake  my  life  work. 

I  suppose  that  she  has  been  in  Raleigh.  I  long  for  the  day 
when  she  will  come  back  to  me.  She  needs  me  and  I  need  her. 
The  Lord  grant  her  strength  to  come  home. 

The  Lora  will  provide  for  my  inability  to  go  as  usual  to 
Soochow  and  Kwinsan,  a  trip  which  requires  ten  days.  I 
cannot  with  impunity  be  away  from  my  doctors  more  than 
three  days  at  a  time. 


•  Yates   The   Missionary.  259 

Although  Mrs.  Yates  had  been  seriously  ill  in  North 
Carolina  during  the  summer  of  1884,  she  had  cntireh' 
recovered  during  the  autumn.  She  will  never  be  for- 
gotten in  any  of  the  homes  that  were  brightened  in 
J 884-5  by  her  genial  presence.  On  April  4th  i88> 
she  sailed  for  her  home  in  China 

Shanghai,  March  25,   1885. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Did  you  ever  sit  down  and  try  to  think  out  what  must  be 
ihe  condition  of  a  heathen's  mind?  If  so,  you  have  utterly 
failed.  We  who  were  reared  in  the  warmth  and  light  of  the 
gospel  have  had  our  minds  so  imperceptibly  influenced  by  the 
knowledge  of  God  that  we  can  have  no  conception  of  what 
we  should  have  been  without  it.  To  approximate  the  idea  of  the 
condition  of  the  minds  and  moral  character  of  the  heathen,  you 
must,  by  a  retrospective  movement,  obliterate  all  the  knowl- 
edge you  have  ever  received  of  the  Bible,  of  God,  or  purity  of 
life,  of  punishment  of  the  wicked.  You  must  imagine  what 
you  would  have  been  as  the  result  of  the  corrupt  example  of 
all  your  ancestors  for  thousands  of  years. 

To  get  a  more  intelligible  conception,  take  first  the  highest 
grade  of  Christian  men  and  women;  then  desce.id  several 
grades  to  the  professing  Christians  who  are  not  troubled  much 
about  their  religion  or  their  sins.  These  have  the  same  Bible. 
The  first  class  find  in  it  their  duty  to  send  the  gospel  to  the 
Gentiles.  The  second  read  or  hear  the  same  words,  but  are, 
so  far  as  any  impression  of  duty  is  made  on  them,  dead  to  what 
God  has  said  to  them.  There  is  too  much  loose  and  thought- 
less reading  of  the  words  of  our  blessed  Lord.  I  never  realized 
this  until  I  undertook  the  responsible  work  of  translating  the 
New  Testament.  I  have  found  it  necessary  to  fix  the  exact 
meaning  of  every  word  before  I  could  translate  it. 

But  continue  this  downward  scale.  Pass  through  Texas, 
where  the  true  light  shineth,  into  Mexico.  There  the  people 
are  in  semi-darkness.  Then  take  a  steamer  for  the  furthest 
Orient.  It  enters  at  last  the  Yangtsz,  and  then  the  Whampoo 
River.  You  will  be  struck  dumb  at  the  panorama  presented 
to  your  bewildered  eyes.     The  hundreds  and  hundreds  of  boats, 


26o  Yates  The   Missionary.  * 

filed  with  people  speaking  to  or  contending  with  each  other 
in  a  strange  language  will  remind  you  that  you  have  entered 
?.  strange  world.  I  meet  you  on  the  wharf,  and  p'U  you  into 
a  'rick-sha,  a  small,  two-wheeled  pull-man  car.  It  is  two  miles 
to  my  house,  and  all  the  way  through  crowded  streets.  I  ask 
you  to  cast  your  eyes  up  each  narrow  cross-street,  th:it  you  may 
get  an  idea  of  the  multitudes  everywhere. 

After  showing  you  the  city,  I  will  take  you  on  a  fortnight's 
trip.  We'll  go  forty-five  miles  to  Kwinsan,  where  I  have  a  little 
church;  then  thirty  miles  further  to  Soochow,  where  is  another 
church,  but  no  missionary  or  native  pastor.  For  two  years  I 
have  been  begging  for  three  men  for  this  great  city,  which  is 
three  times  as  large  as  Shanghai.  We  go  on  the  Grand  Canal, 
past  several  large  cities,  a  hundred  miles  further  to  Chinkiang. 
Hunnex,  a  small  but  energetic  man,  is  alone  in  this  important 
center.  Here  we  take  a  steamer  on  the  Yang-tsz  River  back 
to  Shanghai. 

You  have  now  seen  samples  of  the  millions  who  would  be 
accessible  to  resident  missionaries,  if  we  had  thetn  at  these 
interior  centers.  They  are  well  dressed;  they  are  a  polite  people; 
but,  alas  they  have  no  knowledge  of  God  nor  of  the  blessed 
joys  and  hopes  that  come  to  us  through  revelation.  To  their 
minds,  there  is  no  Creator.  All  things  were  hatched  by  the 
contact  of  light  and  darkness.  According  to  their  ideas  of 
transmigration,  they  expect  to  take  their  turn  in  the  world  again 
as  the  animating  spirits  of  men,  beasts,  or  insects.  Their  great 
desire  is  to  come  again  as  men  of  wealth  and  position,  so  as  to 
secure  the  means  of  enjoyment  of  the  flesh. 

They  have  no  idea  of  an  immortal  soul.  Their  theory  is 
that  they  have  three  souls  and  six  spirits.  One  soul  is  in  the 
head,  one  in  the  body,  and  one  in  the  extremities.  At  death, 
one  remains  with  the  corpse,  one  with  the  ancestral  tablet,  and 
one  undergoes  a  term  of  punishment  in  the  world  of  spirits 
before  migrating  again  into  the  world  of  light.  With  all 
their  philosophy  and  systems,  they  have  no  conception  of  the 
immortal  soul,  of  its  possibilities  and  susceptibilities  forever 
and  ever. 

Now,  my  brother,  by  running  down  this  sliding  scale,  from 


Yates   The   Missionary.  261 

the  highest  to  the  lowest,  till  you  find  yourself  enveloped  in 
the  thick  darkness  of  the  four  hundred  millions  of  China,  and 
by  imagining  what  the  sins  of  a  people  must  be  who  never  have 
had  any  of  the  restraints  of  the  gospel,  you  can  form  some 
faint  idea  of  the  thoughts  and  character  of  a  people  who  are,  in 
truth,  without  hope  and  without  God.  Their  sins  I  shall  not 
recount.     Paul  has  done  that. 

Shanghai,    May   20,    1885. 
My  family  arrived  May  4th,  having  circumnavigated  the  globe 
without  encountering  a  storm  at  sea. 

To  meet  them,  I  came  down  from  Chinkiang,  where,  for  two 
weeks,  I  had  been  superintending  the  erection  of  our  new  chapel. 
This  evening  I  return  to  carry  on  that  work.  The  services  at 
the  rented  chapel  are  well  attended,  and  there  are  several  appli- 
cants for  baptism. 

The  Franco-Chinese  war  may  be  said  to  be  at  an  end.  From 
conversation  with  the  people,  I  have  an  impression  that  the  war 
will,  in  the  end,  tend  to  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel  in  China. 
For  this  let  us  all  hope  and  pray. 

I  was  thrilled  by  Dr.  Bailey's  telegram  from  the  Convention 
in  Augusta,  -'Psalm  20.  Build  Chapel."  In  spirit  I  was  present 
in  the  Convention  each  day.  Saturday  evening,  while  I  was 
engaged  in  meditation,  the  telegram  was  handed  in,  and,  in  a 
moment,  I  had  the  whole  Convention  by  the  hand,  as  I  sung, 
"Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds."  The  Lord  be  praised  for  the 
blessing  of  Christian  fellowship  and  the  communion  of  hearts 
all  the  way  around  the  globe.  When  we  all  meet  above,  and 
they  from  the  land  of  Sinim,  oh,  there  will  be  g^eat  joy  in 
the  New  Jerusalem.  Till  we  receive  our  invitation,  let  us  work 
on,  for  the  night  will  soon  come. 

Shanghai,  June  9,  1885. 
I  have  just  arrived  from  Chinkiang,  where  I  have  been  most 
of  the  time  for  a  month  superintending  the  erection  of  our 
chapel  and  the  overhauling  of  the  mission  house.  The  latter 
is  completed,  and  the  expense  will  be  nearly  met  b>  the  rent 
paid  from  the  time  it  came  into  our  hands.  Mr.  Hunnex  is 
moving  in  to-day.  The  chapel  will  be  completed  in  August. 
Since  I  have  put  this  property  into  shape,  an  application  has 
been  made  to  buy  it  at  a  large  advance  on  cost. 


262  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Mr.  llimnex,  writing  on  June  19th,  refers  to  the  "ab^.e 
superintendence  by  Dr.  Yates  of  the  building;  opera- 
tions," and  adds:  "As  I  glance  at  the  solid,  well-built 
avails  of  the  chapel,  I  recall  to  mind  the  words  of  D/. 
Yates  while  we  were  locating  it  together,  'This  place 
will  stand  long  after  I  am  gone.'  Often  have  we  prayed 
together  that  God  would  make  this  place  the  b^nhplace 
of  many  souls." 

Shanghai,  June  25,  1885. 

We  are  entering  upon  our  worst  summer  weather.  After 
eight  months  of  agony  and  v.'ork,  I  feel  the  need  of  a  good 
rest.  But,  for  the  present,  rest  at  Chefoo  will  be  all  that  I  feel 
that  I  can  take  without  damage  to  our  work.  I  hare  no  desire 
to  leave  so  long  as  I  can  do  efifective  work.  The  night  will 
soon  come. 

Chefoo,  September  17,  1885. 
To  the  Edenton  Baptist  Missionary  Society: 

The  small  field  that  I  have  staked  off  and  am  trying  to  cul- 
tivate embraces  a  population  much  greater  than  that  of  all  the 
Southern  States.  All  this  multitude,  so  far  as  the  knowledge 
of  God  and  of  the  way  of  life  is  concerned,  is  in  total  darkness. 
Having  no  knowledge  of  the  light  of  revelation,  tho\  have  no 
conception  of  the  weal  or  woe  of  an  immortal  soul.  In  fact, 
they  have  no  correct  ideas  of  an  immortal  soul. 

Their  own  theory  is  heathenism,  pure  and  simple,  without 
light  enough  to  induce  a  doubt  as  to  the  utility  of  their  own 
religious  systems. 

This  view  of  the  habitation  of  cruelty,  where  Satan  reigns,  may 
serve  to  give  a  more  definite  idea  of  the  enormous  work  that 
Christ  has  committed  to  us,  and  at  the  same  time,  to  show  how 
inadequate  are  the  methods  and  means  now  in  use  among  our 
pastors  and  churches  in  Christian  lands. 

The  work  does  look  appalling  to  everything  but  faith  in  God 
and  in  the  omnipotence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  over  the  human 
heart.  But,  with  faith  in  Christ  as  our  leader,  we  can  accom- 
plish wonders  for  the  glory  of  God,  even  among  these  dry 
bones.  But  the  faith  that  does  not  prompt  to  action  in  behalf 
of  Christ's  cause  in  all  lands  is  a  dead  faith. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  263 

The   Chinese  have,   and  have  had  for  ages,   a  civilization  of 

Iheir  own.  but  it  is  rotten  at  the  core.     They  have  more  gods 

or    objects    of   worship    than    there    are    people    in    the    United 

States.     But  they  have  had  no  knowledge  of  God  for  a  hundred 

generations,  and,  from  a  period  beyond  the  commencement  of 

authentic    history,    they    have    been    sitting   in    the    region    and 

shadow  of  death. 

Shanghai,  October  12,  1885. 

We  returned  from  Chefoo  two  weeks  ago.  I  rejoice  to  say 
that  ^Irs.  Yates  is  quite  restored  to  health.  From  May  to 
September  I  had  a  slow  fever.  The  doctors  say  'hat  it  was 
the  natural  result  of  overv/ork.  I  kept  going  all  the  time,  but 
felt  depressed  and  good-for-nothing.     I  am  quite  well  now. 

This  week  I  am  going  up  the  river  to  take  delivery  of  the 
Chinkiang  chapel,  which  is  now  finished.  The  pulpit  stand 
will  go  along  with  me.  Now  for  *the  bell.  When  shall  we  see 
it? 

Since  the  restoration  of  peace,  there  has  been  a  great  dearth 
of  interest  among  the  Chinese  in  religious  matters,  and  yet  I 
am  expecting  good  to  come  out  of  the  war. 

The  great  Viceroy,  Li  Hung  Chang,  in  giving  instructions 
to  the  officials  to  have  no  difficulty  with  the  Protestant  mis- 
sionaries, has  sounded  the  keynote,  a  note  which  will  doubt- 
less vibrate  through  every  province  in  China.  The  Tungchow 
Mission  had  abandoned  all  hope  of  getting  certain  premises  they 
needed,  when  lo,  the  owner  of  the  property  informed  the 
brethren  of  the  instructions  of  the  Viceroy  and  invited  them  to 
go  and  take  possession  of  the  property,  assuring  them  that  there 
would  be  no  opposition. 

This  pregnant  incident  is  full  and  running  over  with  hope 
for  the  future  of  mission  work  in  the  north  of  China. 

The  officials  at  headquarters  discovered  during  the  war  that 
Protestant  missionaries  are  true,  and  can  be  trusted. 

What  efforts  ought  we  not  to  put  forth  at  this  t^rn  of  the 


*A  fine  bell  for  the  Chinkiang  chapel  was  shipped  to  China 
by  Menely  &  Co.  in  the  summer  of  1887.  The  amount  necessary 
for  its  purchase  ($212)  was  raised  by  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Yates' 
former  colleague,  Rev.  W.  S.  Walker,  of  Georgia. 


264  Yates  The   Missionary. 

tide  in  our  favor?  You  give  us  warning  of  a  falling  ofT  in  in- 
terest and  contributions  and  advise  great  caution  in  the  use  of 
funds.  This  is  no  time  for  falling  ofif.  Rather  let  every  minister, 
church,  and  member  put  forth  their  utmost  eflforts,  while  we 
here  engage  afresh  in  the  death  grip  with  this  hydra-headed 
monster — the  enemy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Shanghai,  November  8,  1885. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  D.D.: 

You  telegraphed  me  from  the  Convention,  "Build  your 
chapel."  I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  inform  the  contributors 
to  that  fund  that  the  Tsing-way-dong  is  completed,  and  is 
in  use  daily. 

Bryan  will  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  take  the  reins  and  drive 
ofT.  But  that  will  be  enough  to  occupy  his  whole  attention 
and  skill.  The  training  of  a  yoke  of  young  oxen  or  a  team  of 
young  mules  is  nothing  to  the  labor  and  patience  required  to 
bring  into  subjection  to  Christ  a  team  of  stolid  Chinese. 

North  Carolina  is  doing  well,  having  six  representatives  in 
China  and  another  at  Wake  Forest  who  will  soon  come  to  the 
front  to  occupy  Soochow.  The  influence  of  my  Alma  Mater 
will  go  on  down  through  the  ages.  Her  endowm.ent  ought 
to  be  doubled.  I'll  be  one  of  two  hundred  to  do  it  within  five 
years. 

Chin-chin  Tom  Skinner  for  me.     Tell  him  I  love  him  still. 

Shanghai,  November  10,  1885. 
To  his  Sister: 

I  am  now  pretty  well  and  full  of  work.  I  have  built  a  nice 
church  at  Chinkiang,  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  miles  up  the 
Yang-tsz-kiang,  this  spring  and  summer.  It  is  a  beauty,  and 
will  seat  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  people. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herring  will  be  stationed  there,  if  they  ever 
get  here.  Now  that  they  have  been  detained  to  attend  the 
State  Convention,  we  cannot  expect  them  before  the  end  of 
this  year,  about  the  time  you  get  this,  or  a  little  later,  for  I 
believe  the  Convention  meets  to-day  or  to-morrow.  I  expected 
them  last  week.  What  a  disappointment!  We  were  ready  to 
receive  and  give  them  a  warm  welcome.  Well,  I  have  become 
accustomed  to  disappointments;  this  is  only  the  last  one.     As 


Yates   The   Missionary.  265 

the  new  comers  will  have  to  study  two  years  before  they  can 
speak  the  language,  I  am  anxious  they  should  begin  as  soon 
as  possible  to  learn  it. 

Shanghai,  November  10,  1885. 

The  Chinkiang  chapel  is  a  thing  of  beauty.  It  is  built  of  the 
best  burnt  brick,  and  in  the  best  style  of  workmanship.  The 
walls  are  upon  a  cement  foundation  three  feet  broad  and  three 
ieet  thick.  With  repairs  of  ordinary  wear  and  tear,  it  will  stand 
?nd  be  servicable  long  after  its  builder  is  forgotten. 

The  general  effect  is  charming.  Crowds  of  Chinese  stand  at 
all  hours  of  the  day  and  gaze  at  it  with  admiration  and  delight. 
The  fame  of  its  beauty  has  gone  forth  among  the  millions. 

While  at  Chinkiang  I  had  the  privilege  of  conducting  the 
magistrate  through  the  chapel  and  explaining  to  him  every- 
thing, even  to  the  process  of  baptizing  believers.  He  seemed 
interested,  and,  as  it  is  not  often  that  I  meet  an  acting  official 
under  such  favorable  circumstances,  I  imparted  to  him  and  his 
attendants  no  small  amount  of  religious  truth. 

He  spoke  of  the  cleanliness  and  purity  of  the  whole  place 
in  every  part.  I  responded,  "Yes,  this  place  is  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  the  only  true  God,  who  is  pure  and  holy.  Here  we 
labor  to  teach  men  to  be  pure  in  heart.  Men  and  women  who 
live  in  a  dirty  place  and  hear  filthy  conversation  all  around  them, 
do  not  have  clean  and  pure  hearts.  And  without  this  they  can 
never  be  at  peace  with  God."  He  replied:  "The  work  that  you 
propose  will  be  very  difficult." 

Shanghai,  December,  1885. 
Mrs.  Yates  to  the  young  ladies  of  Greensboro  (N.  C.)  Church: 

When  I  was  young,  there  were  no  such  societies  as  yours. 
Nobody  had  thought  that  girls  could  help  send  the  gospel  to 
China  or  other  heathen  lands.  My  good  uncle  took  me  regu- 
larly to  the  "Concert  of  Prayer  for  Missions,"  and  always  put 
a  piece  of  silver  in  my  hand  for  me  to  drop  into  the  plate;  but 
he  never  taught  me  to  earn  or  save  my  own  money  for  missions. 
I  am  sure  that  it  would  have  gladdened  his  heart  could  he  have 
known  then  that  his  niece  would  one  day  be  a  missionary.  But 
neither  of  us  dreamed  of  such  a  thing  when  I  was  a  girl  in 
Greensboro. 


266  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Shanghai,  January  19,  1886. 
To  the  Recorder: 

My  long  expected  reinforcement  arrived  on  the  •i'vening  of 
the  13th.  I  had  been  down  at  the  wharf  till  five  P.M.  Then 
I  was  told  that  the  steamer  would  not  come  in  till  the  next 
morning,  and  I  returned  home.  I  had  not  been  at  home  an 
hour  before  some  one,  while  we  were  eating  supper,  pulled  my 
door  bell.  I  opened  the  door  and  found  two  strangers  standing 
without  who  called  out,  "Herring  and  Bryan."  This  was  a 
surprise.  By  nine  o'clock  we  had  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herring  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryan  with  us.  Need  I  tell  you  that  there  was  joy 
in  this  old  house?  Thanks  be  to  God  for  all  his  mercies  to 
them  and  to  us. 

We  have  now  seen  enough  of  them  to  know  that  North  Caro- 
lina has  sent  us  the  right  men  and  women.  They  give  promise 
to  be  real  co-laborers  in  the  right  way,  and  seem  Lo  be  ready 
to  labor,  and,  if  necessary,  to  suffer  for  Christ. 

Brother  Herring  remains  with  me.  Brother  Bryan  goes  to 
Chinkiang.  Now  we  want  two  mountaineers  for  Soochow,  to 
take  charge  of  the  little  church  there  and  work  up  the  cities  on 
the  Grand  Canal.    This  is  a  great  field  and  a  great  opportunity. 


Shanghai,   March  22,   i^ 
There  are  three  applicants  for  baptism  at  Kwinsan. 
I  am  glad  of  a  little  respite  from  translating,  for  it  is  hard 
work.     I  am  never  free  from  a  jaded  feeling,  and  yet  the  ma- 
chine must  be  kept  going. 

Shanghai,   May  i,   1886. 

Mrs.  Yates  and  I  are  as  well  as  could  be  expected  at  our 
advanced  age.  I  have  now  had  fourteen  j'^ears  of  consecutive 
hard  work  with  sore  afflictions.  Out  of  these  the  Lord  has 
delivered  me.  And  he  has  enabled  us  to  keep  the  Mission  in- 
tact, besides  greatly  enlarging  it,  until  reinforcements  arrived. 

Shanghai,  May  5,  1886. 
To  his  Sister: 

I  wish  you  could  see  our  own  home  at  Chefoo.     Our  house 

is  on  the  north  side  of  a  hill  about  two  hundred  feet  high.     If 

you  stand  on  my  front  verandah,  and  throw  your  arms  back 

as  far  as  you  can,  all  in  front  of  your  arms  is  open  sea,  with 


Yates  The   Missionary.  267 

here  and  there  an  island  to  beautify  the  prospect.  We  can  see 
the  steamers  coming  from  the  east  or  west  an  hour  before 
they  arrive;  and  when  they  come  in  or  go  out,  they  pass  close 
to  the  hill,  in  front  of  our  front  door.  We  can  see  who  comes 
and  Avho  goes  away. 

We  have  a  private  bathing  pool  of  salt  water,  at  the  foot  of 
the  bluff.  Perhaps  I  should  tell  you  that  all  the  water  in  the 
great,  great  ocean  is  more  salt  than  3^ou  could  make  a  tub  of 
well  water  by  using  all  the  salt  that  it  would  dissolve.  It  is, 
however,  very  healthy  to  bathe  in  it.  It  is  so  clear  and  nice. 
We  roll  about  in  it  every  day  at  high  tide,  whenever  we  feel 
like  it.  Then  in  my  three  gardens  I  have  room  for  sweet  corn 
and  all  kinds  of  vegetables  and  fruit  trees.  The  fruit  trees  are 
not  in  bearing  yet,  except  some  of  the  grapes. 

I  weigh  241  pounds.  But  age  creeps  on  apace.  Mother  and 
I  are  two-thirds  white  headed,  and  cannot  endure  what  we 
could  and  did  ten  years  ago.  Henceforth  we  must  decline  till 
our  sun  sets.  I  have  had  the  care  of  all  the  churches  and  mis- 
sion work  here  for  twenty-four  years.  All  this  care,  and  doing 
all  the  preaching,  and  constant  study  while  translating  the 
New  Testament,  has  told  on  me,  for  there  is  a  limit  to  a  strong 
man's  power  of  endurance.  Henceforth,  I  must  take  things 
easy.     Perhaps  the  time  may  come  when  I  can  slip  home  and 

see  you  all  once  more.    But and are  going  to  leave 

their  fields  for  a  year  of  rest.     And  there  are  so  few  of  us  that, 
if  one  goes,  the  others  must  stay. 

I  have  had  no  additions  to  my  church  for  some  time.  The 
Chinese  are  ready  to  join  the  church  if  they  can  get  employ- 
ment in  the  church.  Too  many  take  such  expectants  into  the 
church;  but  I  did  not  come  here  for  anything  but  to  teach  them 
the  way  to  be  saved  and  to  become  disciples  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

Shanghai,  May  24,  1886. 
i  o  the  Recorder: 

I  see  that,  at  's  instance,  you  have  republished  a  paper 

that  I  read  several  years  ago  before  the  Missionary  Conference. 

If  designed  to   use   my  paper  as   a   sort  of  collateral 

to  support  what  seems  to  be  his  appeal  from  the  decision  of 
the  Board  to  the  Convention,  he  was  not  fair;  for  I  animad- 


268  Yates   The   Missionary. 

verted  on  grievous  errors  in  methods  of  mission  work,  real 
evils  that  have  insinuated  themselves  into  the  churches  and 
missions  of  China,  especially  those  of  other  denominations, 
the  influence  of  which  was  seriously  damaging  my  own  work; 

while,  in  's  plea,  he  hardly  alludes  to  these  evils,  except 

very  remotely. 

I  referred  to  the  unscriptural  and  unchristian  methods  of  mis- 
sion work  now  and  of  late  years  so  widely  and  inconsiderately 
adopted  by  most  Missions,  of  employing  such  a  large  propor- 
tion, not  only  of  their  own  membership,  but  of  all  comers  from 
other  churches  who  are  in  search  of  employment  as  evangelists, 
colporters,  Bible  women,  etc.,  as  to  create  the  impression  far 
and  wide  among  the  heathen  that  a  man  is  paid  to  become  a 
Christian.     It  opens  up  to  him  a  better  way  of  making  a  living. 

I  dare  not  even  guess  what  proportion  of  those  who  are  re- 
ported as  hopeful  additions  to  churches  are  influenced  by  this 
sort  of  inspiration.  There  is  too  much  work  done  in  order  to 
appear  successful.  This  is  the  canker  worm  at  the  heart  of 
too  nuich  mission  work.     God  save  me  from  such  notoriety. 

Rev.  William  Miiirhead,  of  the  London  Missionary 
Society,  the  veteran  of  fifty  years  of  labor  in  Shanghai, 
bears  testimony  to  Dr.  Yates'  high  standard  for  church 
membership: 

Dr.  Yates  had  large  gatherings  to  listen  to  his  preaching, 
and  many  applications  were  made  for  admission  into  his  church. 
He  often  had  to  reject  applicants  as  unfit  candidates  for  Chris- 
tian fellowship.  He  had  a  high  standard.  We  had  frequent 
conversations  on  this  subject.  In  this  matter  he  was  a 
thoroughly  consistent  Baptist,  as,  indeed,  he  was  in  all  other 
respects. 

On  one  occasion  he  told  me  that  had  he  been  less  stringent, 
he  might  have  had  a  church  of  a  thousand  members.  As  it 
was,  several  of  his  people  were  prominent  and  active  workers. 
For  many  years  there  was  a  monthly  concert  of  prayer  held 
by  the  native  Christians  of  all  denominations.  Dr.  Yates'  na- 
tive pastor,  Wong,  was  distinguished  by  the  part  he  always  took 
m  the  proceedings.     Another,   who   still   lives,   has  long  borne 


Yates  The   Missionary.  26g 

a  high  character  as  a  Christian  man.  There  are,  no  doubt, 
many  others  who  have  furnished  good  evidence  of  their  genuine 
faith.  His  earnest  and  prolonged  labors  in  the  seivice  of  the 
Master  were  not  in  vain,  as  many  are  able  to  testify. 

Shanghai  May  5,   1886. 
To  the  Recorder: 

If  a  man  is  largely  influenced  by  the  books  and  papers  that 
he  reads  and  studies— and  I  belie.ve  it — then  I  am  soaked 
through  and  through  with  the  Biblical  Recorder  and  Religious 
Herald.  Wonderful  is  the  improvement  in  these  papers  since 
I  left  America  in  1846.  No  man  can  partake  of  such  food  as 
they  now  furnish  w^eekly  without  growing  larger  and  broader 
and  better  in  every  relation  in  life. 

What  a  w^onderful  and  secret  power  they  wield  for  the  uni- 
fication of  the  churches  and  the  diffusion  of  knowdedge.  Why, 
sir,  they  are  the  great  preachers  of  the  land.  If  widely  circu- 
lated, they  would  do  more  good  than  all  the  missionaries  of 
the  Home  Board.  I  wonder  that  pastors  do  not  rriake  more 
efforts  to  introduce  these  powerful  auxiliaries  into  their  con- 
gregations. 

In  these  ends  of  the  earth  I  could  not  live  without  my  Re- 
corder and  Herald.  They  help  to  make  me  happy  and  contented. 
I  feel  that  I  am  a  member  of  a  large  family.  Even  the  heathen 
are  benefited  by  my  reading  these  papers,  for  I  am  enabled 
to  preach  better. 

Anyone  who  is  anxious  to  do  good  can  do  a  great  work  by 
persuading  others  to  take  and  read  a  good  religious  paper. 

Recently  I  received  two  letters,  one  from  a  little  boy,  and  the 
other  from  his  sister.  They  asked  me  to  write  them  a  letter, 
and  I  want  to  do  it.  But  I  have  lost  the  address.  li  they  will 
write  to  me  again,  I  will  answer  their  letter. 

Shanghai,  June  i,  1886. 
Last  month  I  made  a  pastoral  visit  to  Kwinsan,  Soochow, 
and  Chinkiang.  Four  have  been  received  for  baptism  at  Kwin- 
san, and  two  at  Soochow.  Mr.  Herring,  who  accompanied  me, 
was  more  than  delighted  with  his  trip,  and  with  the  prospects 
for  genuine  work.     Oh,  for  two  men  for  Soochow! 


270  Yates  The   Missionary. 

Now.  my  dear  brother,  I  can  see  a  danger  signal.  Overtaxing 
iny  powers  has  brought  on  a  serious  dizziness  of  the  head 
which  sometimes  causes  me  to  stagger  badly.  Yesterday,  twice 
during  my  sermon,  I  had  to  close  my  eyes  and  hold  fast  to 
the  pulpit  to  save  myself  from  falling.  The  effects  of  the 
eflfort  to  preach  are  felt  for  a  day  or  two.  I  think  it  best  to 
take  my  doctor's  advice  and  go  to  Chefoo,  where  I  can  have 
quiet  rest  in  bracing  sea  air. 

Since  I  have  seen  's  appeal  to  the  Convention,  I  have 

been  much  concerned  about  the  effect  of  the  republication  of 

my  paper  to  be  used  with  's  rules,  under  Art.  5.     I  have 

discussed  these  peculiar  views  with  him  more  than  once,   and 
have   rejected   them    as   absurd    for     Central     China    missions. 

had  no  authority  to  quote  nic  as  supporting  his  views. 

There    are   evils   to  be   abated,   but    he    has    not    made    them 
prominent. 

Chefoo,  July,  1886. 

I  hope  that  I  am  improving,  but  I  am  laid  aside  for  the 
present.  1  am  only  in  a  fit  condition  to  be  turned  out  to  grass. 
I  am  in  my  sixty-eighth  year.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight. 
Alone  I  have  held  the  fort  in  Central  China  for  ihe  Foreign 
Mission  Board  since  1863,  and  now  I  have  touched  bottom.  I 
am  suffering  from  prolonged  overwork,  and  am  too  tired  to 
rest  m.ind  or  body.  I  crave  ten  years  more  of  work.  The 
will  of  the  Lord  be  done. 

Chefoo,  July  10,  1886. 

On  account  of  overwork,  I  have  been  ordered  here  by  my 
doctor  for  a  complete  rest  for  a  few  months.  I  am  Detter,  but 
not  free  from  some  bad  indications. 

After  Dr.  Yates'  death,  Dr.  T.  E.  Skinne."  wrote: 

Matthew  Yates  was  a  busy  man  from  the  time  he  fed  his 
father's  swine  before  sunrise,  always  stopping  at  the  old  hollow 
tree  on  his  return,  for  morning  prayer,  all  the  way  along  life, 
here  and  in  China,  to  the  close  of  his  life. 

To  translate  the  New  Testament  into  the  Shanghai  dialect 
for  the  forty  millions  of  people  in  that  province  might  well  be 
called  the  work  of  a  lifetime.     He  seemed  not  to   imderstand 


Yates  The   Missionary.  2^1 

the  indispensable  necessity  for  leisure  to  men  intensely  engaged 
in  literary  work. 

Well  do  I  remember  the  difficulty  with  which,  .luring  the 
month  I  spent  with  him  in  Geneva,  he  was  restrained  from 
constant  work. 

The   wonder   is   that   Yates   lived   as   long  as   he   did — nearly 

the   allotted   period   of  human   life — sixty-nine   years,   of  which 

by  far  the  greater  portion  was  consecrated  to  toil  in  a  heathen 

land. 

Chefoo,  August  19,  1886. 

Mrs.  Yates  joined  me  here  July  i6th.  With  sea-bathing  and 
complete  rest  I  am  feeling  better,  though  I  have  lost  twenty 
pounds  in  weight.  I  am  conscious  now  that  I  have  had  too 
great  a  strain  upon  my  powers  of  endurance  during  the  twenty- 
four  years  that  I  have  been  alone.  I  hope  that  the  Lord  of 
the  harvest  will  grant  me  another  decade  of  quiet  work.  Be- 
fore J  lay  my  armor  down  I  desire  to  see  the  work  in  China 
go  beyond  the  preparatory  stage,  when  native  Christians  shall 
no  longer  be  mere  hirelings. 

Let  U5  put  our  trust  in  God  and  not  in  men.  The  work  is 
His  and  He  will,  in  his  time  and  way,  prosper  our  efforts. 

Chefoo,  August  28,  1886. 

A  few  days  ago  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Devault,  who  is  ill  at  Tung- 
chow,  urging  him  to  maintain,  in  addition  to  strong  convic- 
tions in  regard  to  his  work,  an  indomitable  will  to  do  what 
Christ  had  commanded  him  to  do,  and  then  leave  the  whole 
matter  of  health  in  the  Lord's  hands.  I  gave  him  a  prescrip- 
tion from  my  own  experience. 

During  my  first  years  in  China,  I  was  so  run  down  by  ague 
and  fevci  that  I  thought  that  my  work  was  finished.  I  came 
before  the  Lord  in  this  wise:  "Oh,  Lord,  if  it  is  thy  will  that  my 
work  end  now,  Thy  will  be  done.  If  it  is  Thy  will  that  my 
strength  be  restored  to  work  for  Thee  in  this  land  of  darkness, 
bclioid  Thy  servant  for  all  time." 

The  decades  that  have  passed  show  that  the  good  Lord  was 
only  harnessing  me  up  for  a  forty  year  trot  at  the  late  of  2:20. 
There  is  life  and  protection  in  strong  convictions,  indomitable 
will,  and  faith  in  God.    This  life,  this  protection  against  tempta- 


272  Yates  The   Missionary. 

tion    and    spiritual    dcadness    is    available    to    all    Christians    in 
every  condition  of  life. 

The  Lord  be  praised  for  the  way  in  which  the  Baptists  of 
the  old  North  State  have  rallied  to  the  support  of  their  minis- 
try, to  ministerial  education,  and  the  extension  ot  Christ's 
kingdom  at  home  and  abroad.  They  have  begun  the  work 
needed  for  Wake  Forest,  from  which  many  streams  have  issued 
to  bless  the  world.  All  those  who  have  participated  in  these 
things  feel  the  richer  for  what  they  have  done.  I  like  such  in- 
vestments as  these,  for  they  will  go  on  down  the  ages  doing 
good  long  after  we  are  forgotten.  Shall  we  not  rally  for  the 
complete  endowment  of  Wake  Forest? 

Oh,  for  a  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  us  all  at  home  and 
abroad.     The  night  will  soon  come. 

I  have  had  none  of  those  disagreeable  spasms  of  the  brain 
for  two  months. 

Shanghai,  November  30,  1886. 

At  Shanghai  a  thing  has  happened  this  year  which,  for  spirit- 
ual power  and  widespread  influence  for  good,  surpasses  any- 
thing that  has  occurred  before  among  the  natives. 

Wong-yih-san,  now  a  deacon  of  my  church,  was  in  doubt 
when  he  joined  the  church  more  than  twenty-five  years  ago 
whether  he  could  support  his  family,  if  he  closed  his  retail  rice 
shop  on  Sundays.  But  he  did  it,  and  directed  his  customers,  if 
they  wished  to  eat  his  rice,  to  get  on  Saturday  enough  for 
Sunday,  for  he  was  now  a  Christian,  and  would  close  his  shop 
on  that  day.  He  soon  found  that  his  old  customers  did  not 
leave  him.  Not  only  so,  but,  through  their  conversation  about 
a  man  who,  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  God,  closed  his 
shop  to  all  business  every  seventh  day,  he  had  a  much  larger 
run  of  business.  For  even  the  heathen  like  to  deal  with  a  trust- 
worthy man. 

Wong  soon  became  a  wholesale  merchant,  and  a  sort  of 
oracle  in  the  rice  business.  As  he  was  known  for  and  wide, 
when  fleets  of  rice  boats  arrived,  he  was  the  first  man  to  be 
visited  by  the  supercargoes  to  get  reliable  information  about 
the  rice  market.  If  they  happened  to  arrive  on  Sunday  and 
found  Wong's  warehouse  closed,  they  would  go  back  to  their 


Yates  The   Missionary.  273 

boats  and  give  no  attention  to  business  that  day.  Eari}'  Monday 
morning  Wong  was  supplied,  if  he  wanted  rice;  if  not,  the  super- 
cargoes were  furnished  with  the  ruHng  rates  for  the  several 
grades  of  rice,  and  went  their  way. 

In  the  course  of  time,  Wong  embarked  in  the  real  estate 
business,  and  in  this  was  even  more  abundantly  prosperous. 
He  now  has  blocks  of  buildings  in  various  parts  of  the  city, 
and  is,  as  he  is  regarded,  a  man  of  means. 

This  year,  while  building  a  block,  Wong,  of  his  own  accord, 
conceived  the  idea  of  building  a  chapel.  The  house  was  erected 
on  his  own  property,  and  at  his  own  charges,  and  is  dedicated, 
for  all  time,  to  the  worship  of  God.  The  chapel  is  unique,  and 
is  a  very  nice  place.  Here  Wong-yih-san  is  monarch  of  all 
he  surveys.  He  preaches  regularly  three  afternoons  in  each 
week.  I  call  in  occasionally  and  find  his  place  full  of  atten- 
tive listeners.  But  my  presence  does  not  daunt  him.  He  points 
me  to  a  chair  in  the  amen  corner  and  continues  until  he  has 
finished.  Then  he  tells  his  audience  that  he  is  a  mere  novice, 
that  the  old  pastor  will  speak  to  them  more  satisfactorily.  Be- 
fore I  am  through,  I  can  see  that  he  is  just  effervescmg  to  get 
another  chance  at  his  congregation.  Sure  enough,  when  I 
descend,  he  mounts  the  pulpit  and  hammers  away  for  another 
half  hour. 

Now  this  is  the  direction  in  which  we  want  to  go.  I  have 
long  worked  and  prayed  for  spontaneous  work.  It  is  a  real 
inspiration  to  my  church,  and  to  other  churches  as  well.  Many 
from  these  attend  Wong's  services;  for  the  fame  of  this  layman's 
noble  deed  has  gone  forth  far  and  wide  among  millions.  The 
man  who  has  built  his  own  chapel  and  preaches  without  wages 
will  do  more  good  than  a  hundred  hirelings. 

Shanghai,  January  7,  1887, 
To  Prest.  C.  E.  Taylor: 

My  heart  leaps  with  joy  at  the  prospect  of  my  dear  old  Alma 

Mater  coming  to  the  front.     Yes,   I   will  most  cheerfully  help 

to  the  extent  of  my  ability  to  meet  your  present  necessity  in 

providing  a  Chemical  Laboratory.    Please  find  enclosed  my  draft 

for   $200    gold.      Please    put    this    down    as    given    by    "an    old 

18 


274  Yates  The   Missionary. 

student.*'  I  do  not  wish  to  be  known  as  giving  anything  in 
this  matter.  The  Lord  knows  all  about  it.  He  told  me  to  do 
it.    And  to  his  name  be  all  the  glory,  now  and  ever. 

I  am  glad  to  see  that  a  goodly  number  of  students  matricu- 
lated the  first  day  of  this  session.  I  delight  to  pray  for  Wake 
Forest  College.  By  the  way,  why  should  not  the  Aiumni  As- 
sociation attempt  to  add  another  hundred  thousand  to  the 
endowment?  I  will  stand  my  share  though  I  have  no  one  to 
help  me 

The  Herrings  and  Bryans  are  well.  They  have  commenced 
work  in  the  chapels  already,  a  year  ahead  of  time. 

To-morrow  I  shall  enter  upon  my  sixty-ninth  year.  I  am 
up  for  another  decade,  including  a  trip  to  America,  which  I 
much  need. 

Shanghai,  January  i8,  1887. 

In  some  important  respects,  last  year  was  the  most  success- 
ful year  of  my  life  in  China.  In  respect  to  solid  results  and 
prospects  for  the  future,  I  am  far  more  hopeful  to-day  than 
I  have  ever  been  at  the  close  of  any  previous  year.  I  have  al- 
ways been  hopeful,  even  in  sore  bodily  affliction  and  alone. 
To-day  it  is  the  exuberance  of  hope,  arising  out  of  the  greatly 
improved  condition  of  our  work  all  along  the  line,  as  well  as 
from  the  manifest  presence  of  the  Spirit  of  Truth  in  our  midst. 

For  many  years  I  have  made  special  prayer  that  God  would 
inspire  some  of  the  members  of  my  church  with  the  will  and 
the  courage  of  their  convictions  to  come  out  of  the  lut  of  spirit- 
ual mediocrity.  Thank  the  Lord,  this  prayer  has  been  answered 
in  the  person  of  my  deacon,  Wong,  who  has  been  a  member  of 
my  church  about  twenty-eight  years.  Having  been  blessed 
in  temporal  things,  he  felt  that  he  ought  to  manifest  his  grati- 
tude to  the  Giver  of  all.  This  he  has  done  by  building  on  his 
own  land,  at  his  own  cost,  a  unique  place  of  worship  for  the 
Chinese;  and  it  has  been  dedicated  to  the  Lord  forever.  In 
this  he  preaches  on  three  afternoons  in  the  week. 

Wong  and  his  noble  act  are  an  inspiration  to  all.  He  has 
pointed  out  a  new  and  better  way.  He  is  a  forerunner  in  usher- 
ing in  the  self-support  and  religions  spontaneity  so  desirable 
in  China. 


Dkacon  Wong  and  the  Chapel  Erected  at  his  own  Expense. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  275 

I  want  the  balance  of  $460  due  me  by  the  Board  paid  to  Rich- 
mond College,  and  so  placed  that  it  shall  go  on  and  on  through 
the  ages  making  preachers  to  preach  for  me  after  tny  voice  is 
no  longer  heard.     I  propose  to  make  it  a  thousand  dollars. 

In  another  letter  he  refers  to  the  same  gift  as, 

The  first  installment  of  a  scholarship  which  I  desire  to  have 
in  that  institution.  I  covet  an  interest  in  Wake  Forest  College, 
the  Seminary,  and  Richmond  College.  For  I  regard  this  as 
the  surest  and  most  effective  way  of  conferring  upon  my  fellow 
men  a  benefit  that  will  never  end. 

Before  his  death  he  arranged  for  the  payment  of  the 
lemainder  of  the  thousand  dollars  for  this  scholarship. 

To  the  Louisville  Seminary  he  gave  more  than  three 
thousand  dollars.  But  his  own  Alma  Mater  was  the 
largest  recipient  of  his  benefactions.  Besides  smaller 
gifts  on  several  occasions,  he  gave  to  Wake  Forest 
College  $250  in  1873,  $1,000  in  1878,  $200  (for  erection 
of  laboratory)  in  1886,  and  just  before  his  death  ^'4,350, 
to  be  loaned  to  needy  students. 

Di.  Yates'  contributions  which  are  known  to  us  will 
amount  to  nearly  twenty  thousand  dollars.    To  discove* 
all  his  charities,  in  China  and  America,  would  be  im 
possible.     "His  purse,  like  his  heart,  was  always  open 
to  the  voice  of  God.'' 

The  American  and  English  Baptist  missionaries 
undertook  at  this  time  the  revision  of  the  Goddard's 
New  Testament.  This  could  be  read  by  '•'cholars  it: 
every  part  of  the  Empire.  Dr.  Yates,  referring  to  his 
appointment  as  one  of  the  revisers,  wrote:  'As  I  have 
jrst  been  over  the  whole  ground  in  preparing  my  col- 
loquial version,  it  will  be  a  comparatively  easy  task, 
provided  I  can  secure  a  good  classical  writer." 

Shanghai,  January  25,  1887. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  D.D.: 

You   North  Carolina  Baptists  know  how  to  roll  logs,  for  I 

have  taken  part  in  that  sport  myself.     I  now  invite  one  and  all 

to  a  houseraising.     I  call  upon  each  one,  male  and  female,  white 


276  Yates  The   Missionary. 

and  colored,  who  would  like  to  have  a  door,  a  windovv,  a  board, 
or  a  brick  in  a  mission  house  for  one  of  your  own  worthy  sons 
to  help  in  this  emergency.  It  is  to  be  at  Chinkiang,  a  great 
center,  just  where  the  Grand  Canal  crosses  the  Yang-tsz  River. 
Let  us  do  it  at  a  bound,  and  we  shall  never  feel  the  wcise  for  it. 

Shanghai,  February  10,  1887. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Are  we  not  approaching  a  crisis  in  our  foreign  mission  work? 
Is  it  not  a  fact  that  God  is  opening  up  work  and  vast  fields, 
hitherto  inaccessible,  out  of  all  proportions  to  the  forecasts 
and  preparations  of  his  people?  Do  not  opportunities  bring 
corresponding"  obligations? 

The  facts  show  that,  so  far  as  Foreign  Missions  are  concerned, 
we  drift  and  are  not  prepared  for  an  emergency.  Take  the  case 
of  Herring  and  Bryan,  my  beloved  colleagues.  They  were 
leady.  The  Lord  was  ready.  We  were  not  ready.  There  was 
no  money  in  the  treasury  to  pay  their  passage.  They  must  be 
detained  lor  many  months.  When,  at  last,  the  tear-wet  hand 
was  shaken,  and  they  were  fairly  ofT,  they  received  a  request 
that  a  short  telegram  be  sent  from  Yokohama,  announcing 
their  arrival.  And  all  five  of  them  could  not  raise  enough  to  pay 
for  the  telegram  to  Shanghai.  We  did  not  know  certainly  that 
they  had  sailed  from  America  until  they  knocked  at  our  door. 

But  the  fact  that  they  had  no  power  to  draw  for  a  house  at 
Chinkiang  was  a  still  greater  surprise.  For  I  had  specially 
asked  for  the  house  to  come  with  the  man;  otherwise  the  man 
would  have  no  home.  I  shall  feel  sad  indeed  if  I  do  not  get  the 
expected  telegram  in  April.  Why,  sir,  you  must  not  send  men 
and  women  out  here  and  expect  me  to  hitch  them  to  the  limb 
of  a  tree.  They  must  have  shelter  and  the  comforts  of  a  home 
if  they  are  to  be  kept  in  a  condition  for  work. 

I  hear  of  many  students  who  are  turning  their  hearts  and 
minds  towards  the  heathen  for  a  field  in  which  to  serve  Christ. 
And  who  knows  how  many  hundred  of  precious  jewels  there 
are  on  our  Southern  farms,  who  feel,  though  they  have  never 
told  it,  that  God  has  a  work  for  them  to  do,  but  wlio,  for  the 
want  of  education,  feel  shut  up  to  a  life  of  inactivity? 

If  this  should  reach  the  eye  of  such  a  brother,  let  me  say  that 


Yates  The   Missionary.  277 

I  have  been  just  where  you  are.  I  have  gazed  at  that  apparently 
insurmountable  barrier  that  blocks  your  way.  I  have  ploughed 
up  many  a  hill  of  corn  or  cotton  while  my  mind  was  holding 
a  committee  meeting  with  the  angels  as  to  what  I  ought  to  do. 
Be  not  discouraged;  tell  your  secret;  give  yourself  to  God  in 
daily  prayer.  Go  to  work  the  best  you  can  where  you  are. 
Do  not  wait  until  you  can  do  something  big.  God  will  build 
a  railroad  through  the  forests  and  mountains  of  your  difficulties 
and  liberate  you. 

When,  for  a  few  years,  the  Raleigh  Association  raised  my 
full  salary,  there  was  one  defect  in  it.  They  did  it  for  me,  and 
did  not  give  God  the  glory.  And  one  dark,  cold  night,  the  end 
of  the  rope  which  they  had  promised  to  hold  on  to  came 
tumbling  down  on  my  head  at  the  bottom  of  the  well. 

Wong  is  a  regular  blunderbuss.  His  range  is  wide,  if  not 
far.  He  hurls  at  the  heads  of  his  audiences  round  shot,  small 
shot,  and  Greek  fire.  They  take  it  all  kindly  and  come  again, 
because  he  is  a  native,  is  in  his  own  house,  and  is  in  dead 
earnest. 

Shanghai,  April  19,  1887. 
After  six  weeks  of  rheumatic  agony,  I  am  now  convalescent, 
having  only  an  occasional  echo  of  the  pain.  My  old  trouble 
is  staunched  for  the  present.  For  six  weeks  I  have  not  been 
able  to  go  to  the  chapel.  I  now  rejoice  in  being  able  to  resume 
my  beloved  work.  My  doctor  strongly  advises  complete  rest 
for  one  or  two  years.  I  shall  rest  at  Chefoo  this  summer  and 
see  how  the  case  stands. 

Shanghai,  April  20,   1887. 
To  Rev.  C.  T.  Bailey,  D.D.: 

I  begin  to  feel  weak-kneed  about  the  Chinkiang  house  this 
year.  But  I  remember  a  copy  that  T  used  to  write  when  a  boy, 
"Disappointment  sinks  the  heart  of  man,  but  the  lenewal  of 
hope  gives  consolation."  Oh,  when  will  the  Baptists  of  America 
come  out  of  the  old  rut  of  giving  a  mere  ''charity"  to  missions 
once  a  year?  I  live  in  hope,  for  the  dear  old  Flat  River  Asso- 
ciation comes  out  of  the  mire  at  a  bound,  and  is  new  on  solid 
ground,  and  feels  better.  Many  of  them  find  that  it  is  just  as 
easy  to   give  five  or  ten   dollars   to   the   cause   of   Christ  as   it 


278  Yates  The   Missionary. 

used  to  be  to  give  twenty-five  cents  to  print  the  minutes.     It 
is  all  a  matter  of  the  heart,  and  not  of  the  purse. 

Shanghai,  May  25,  1887. 

I  am  again  at  full  work,  preaching  and  translating.  Last 
Sunday  was  a  red-letter  day,  for  I  baptized  four.  Next  Sunday 
I  hope  to  baptize  two  more,  and  others  have  given  in  their 
names  as  candidates  for  the  heavenly  kingdom.  The  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  is  evidently  in  our  midst  in  a  way  that  I  have  never 
seen  before.  In  the  long  run,  the  faithful  preaching  of  the 
gospel  will  tell.  Deacon  Wong's  zeal  and  fidelity  are  kaving 
a  good  eftect. 

Oh,  for  another  man  at  Chinkiang,  and  two  men,  with  means 
to  build  them  houses,  at  Soochow,  where  the  church  is  rusting 
and  the  work  is  trailing  for  want  of  guidance. 

Oh,  that  the  Baptists  of  the  South  had  a  full  knowledge  of 
the  whole  gospel  of  Christ  and  of  the  present  moral  condition 
of  the  world,  for  out  of  this  knowledge  the  true  missionary 
spirit  must  grow.  It  will  never  grow  out  of  vivid  and  sensa- 
tional addresses  once  a  year.  Without  a  missionary  spirit 
among  the  churches  at  home,  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the 
work  abroad,  there  is  no  ground,  in  the  nature  of  things,  for 
expecting  large  results. 

It  is  downright  cruelty  to  the  missionaries,  as  well  as  to  the 
Board,  which  caters  for  them,  to  drag  along  as  we  have  been 
doing.  Reform  must  begin  with  pastors.  They  are  respon- 
sible for  making  known  the  whole  gospel. 

I  regard  our  Seminary  as  the  hope  of  the  world.  Let  every 
young  man  who  feels  called  of  God  to  preach  go  to  the  Semi- 
nary for  two  years  at  least.  If  he  cannot  take  the  full  course, 
which  would  be  better,  let  him  at  least  take  the  English  course. 
If  necessary,  let  him  borrow  the  means;  but  at  all  hazards  go. 
Let  him  put  off  getting  married  till  he  is  ready  to  serve  God 
in  his  vocation.     Let  him  that  readeth  say  go. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  279 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

DEAD    ON    THE    FIELD    OF    BATTLE JUNE,    1887-MARCH, 

1888— AGE     68-9. 


N  the  spring  of  1887,  the  Foreign  Mission  Board, 

by  special  action,  invited  Dr.  Yates  to  return  to 

the  United  States  for  rest  and  recuperation.    The 

communication  of  the  Secretary  which  mformed 

him  of  this  action  reached  him  about  the  time  of  his 

nrst  stroke  of  paralysis. 

Chefoo,  July  15,  1887. 

I  thank  the  Board  for  remembering  me.  I  fear,  however, 
that  the  release  came  too  late  to  be  of  much  use  m  prolong- 
ing life  and  usefulness. 

When  I  awoke  on  the  morning  of  June  30,  I  was  surprised 
beyond  measure  to  find  that  something  serious  had  happened 
to  me  during  my  sleep.  I  could  not  get  up.  My  left  arm  and 
leg  seemed  to  have  lost  their  cunning.  I  managed  to  get  my 
feet  to  the  floor,  but  my  left  foot  could  not  bear  my  weight,  and 
gravitation  drew  me  to  the  floor.  I  could  not  rise  without 
much  help. 

I  sent  for  Dr.  Douthwaite,  who,  after  examination,  told  me 
that  I  had  decided  premonitory  symptoms  of  paralysis.  He 
cautioned  me  to  be  very  careful,  and  expressed  the  opinion 
that  in  a  few  days  I  should  be  able  to  walk  again. 

I  am  a  little  clumsy  now,  but,  with  God's  blessings,  I  have 
steadily  improved  till  to-day  I  can  walk  about  the  house  and 
yard  with  my  cane.  And  the  doctor  encourages  me  to  expect 
greater  improvement  in  two  weeks  more.  But  I  shall  be  in  no 
condition  to  work  for  months.  I  had  hoped  to  do  much  writ- 
ing this  summer,  but  that  hope  must  be  abandoned.  I  cannot 
think  of  embarking  for  the  United  States  in  my  shattered  con- 
dition.    I  shall  remain  quietly  where  I  am  this  summer,  and 


28o  Yates   The   Missionary. 

early  in  October  return  to  Shanghai.  Then,  if  able,  I  shall 
revise  and  put  to  press  the  rest  of  my  translation  of  the  New 
Testament.     It  is  now  complete  except  Revelation. 

This  is  important,  as  there  is  no  one  else  who  can  do  it  for 
twenty  years  to  come.  If  the  Lord  of  Glory  gives  me  strength 
to  complete  this  work  next  winter,  I  shall  then  consider  whether 
His  glory  will  be  advanced  by  my  taking  furlough  of  one  or 
two  years. 

This  unexpected  trouble  is  a  serious  matter.  The  questions 
that  come  most  urgently  to  my  mind  are,  Is  my  work  finished? 
And  what  have  I  accomplished?  I  have  fought,  or  tried  to 
fight,  a  good  fight  in  China  for  forty  years.  If  I  have  more  to 
do,  the  Lord  will  prepare  me  for  it.  I  am  His,  and  the  work 
His.     I  have  committed  my  future  to  Him. 

Chefoo,  July   :g,   1887. 
To  the  Baptists  of  North  Carolina: 

Brethren,  go  slowly  when,  in  your  deliberations,  you  propose 
to  devote  your  whole  strength  to  State  Missions  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  Foreign  Missions,  lest  you  should  be  found  fighting 
against  God;  for  this  is  God's  work  and  we  are  his  servants. 

The  house  in  Chinkiang  is  a  necessity,  and  must  be  built 
If  the  Baptists  of  North  Carolina  will  give  me  means  to  do  it 
by  Christmas,  well;  if  not.  I  shall  take  steps  to  get  the  money 
here,  making  myself  personally  responsible,  and  proceed  to 
build  the  house  next  winter  and  spring. 

In  a  matter  where  the  necessities  of  God's  work  call  for 
action,  I  do  not  know  the  meaning  of  failure,  if  it  be  within 
my  power  to  compass  it. 

Chefoo,  July  22,   1887. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Several  years  ago,  feeling  that,  surely,  after  so  many  years  of 
work  alone,  and  so  many  appeals  for  men,  reinforcements  would 
soon  come,  I  marked  out  a  field  to  be  cultivated  when  the  men 
arrived.  It  is  compact  and  convenient,  and  embraces  a  popula- 
tion of  twenty  millions.  But  the  men  did  not  come,  and,  ar- 
dently desiring  to  begin  a  work  at  Chinkiang  and  Soochow, 
I  took  into  my  study  four  of  the  most  promising  young  mem- 
bers of  my  church.     For  one  entire  year,   I   taught  them  two 


Yates  The   Missionary.  281 

hours  daily  in  the  Scriptures,  to  fit  them  for  wotk  at  these 
stations.  But  I  found  out  that  they  were  not  fitted  lor  aggres- 
sive work  in  its  earhest  stages. 

At  this  juncture,  Mr.  Hunnex,  who  knew  the  language,  came 
to  us  from  the  Inland  Mission,  and  was  located  by  the  Board 
at  Chinkiang.  But  there  was  one  fatal  drawback  in  the  Chin- 
kiang  start.  House  rent  was  too  expensive,  and  we  had  no 
house  or  chapel  of  our  own. 

For  two  days  Mr.  Hunnex  and  I  looked  at  various  locations 
in  and  about  the  city.  At  last  I  told  him  that  we  had  seen  only 
one  position  which  was  fit  for  mission  premises.  "What  place 
do  you  mean?"  said  he.  "I  mean  the  place  on  the  foot  hills 
of  Silver  Mountain,  where  the  Northern  Methodists  live.  Their 
lease  expires  next  spring,  and  they  are  building  elsewhere. 
They  surely  have  not  perceived  the  good  fung-snui  of  this 
place."  "Oh,  yes,  now  I  understand  what  place  you  mean, 
but  what  do  you  mean  by  fung-shui?"  "Oh,  don't  you  under- 
stand fung-shui?  When  a  place  has  everything  to  favor  it, 
and  nothing  to  oppose  it,  it  is  said  to  have  'good  fung-shui.' 
Now  study  this  place.  First,  it  is  elevated;  there  is  no  malaria; 
there  is  abundance  of  breeze.  Second,  it  is  convenient  to  the 
river.  Third,  it  is  near  the  Foreign  Concession,  where  you  can 
liave  society.  Fourth,  it  is  in  close  proximity  to  the  crowds 
of  natives  upon  whom  we  wish  to  operate.  Fifth,  four  much 
frequented  streets  form  a  star  just  in  front  of  where  the  chapel 
door  should  be.  An  audience  can  be  secured  at  any  hour. 
Sixth,  there  is  room  for  two  dwellings  on  the  same  lot  with  the 
chapel.  How  convenient  for  lady  workers.  If  baby  wakes 
from  his  nap.  and  cries,  nurse  can  call  from  the  window,  and 
in  two  minutes  the  mother  can  be  with  her  darling." 

"Oh,  I  see  the  advantages  now.  But  can  you  get  it?  You 
know  that  it  belongs  to  Mr.  Benjamin,  of  Shanghai,  a  million- 
aire and  a  Jew." 

"We  can  ask  the  Lord  to  give  it  into  our  hands.  Israel  con- 
quered whole  cities  and  vast  armies  by  prayer.  I  will  pray  the 
Lord  to  soften  the  heart  of  that  Jew  whom  I  have  never  seen." 

I  saw  great  possibilities  in  that  site.  As  Michael  Angelo  saw 
an  angel  in  a  block  of  marble,  I  saw  a  beautiful  chapel  on  the 


282  Yates  The   Missionary. 

corner  of  that  lot  and  many  saints  coming  forth  from  it  as  their 
birth  place. 

I  went  down  to  Shanghai  and  called  on  Mr.  Benjamin,  and 
then  on  the  manager  of  a  bank  which  held  a  lien  on  the  prop- 
erty. They  gave  me  the  refusal  of  the  property  at  5,000  taels 
till  April  30th.  Then  I  wrote  to  the  Board.  With  my  appli- 
cation and  description,  I  gave  three  telegraphic  ciphers,  "good, 
better,  best."  Four  days  before  the  expiration  of  the  time  of 
refusal  I  received  "good,"  which  was  the  one  I  wanted.  It 
meant,  "Buy;  for  less  than  the  figure  named,  if  possible,  or 
more,  if  necessary."  I  bought  the  property  for  4,250  taels,  and 
before  I  was  fairly  over  my  agitation  from  having  succeeded,  a 
broker  presented  himself  and  proposed  to  pay  me  a  premium 
on  my  bargain. 

During  the  session  of  the  Convention  in  Augusta,  I  received 
the  telegram,  "Build  your  chapel."  I  commenced  work  with- 
out delay.  I  wish  you  could  see  it.  It  is  a  perfect  bijou.  Four 
great  converging  thoroughfares  meet  just  in  front  of  the  chapel 
door.  In  locating  this  chapel,  I  availed  myself  of  my  knowledge 
of  the  character  and  habits  of  the  Chinese  just  as  when,  in  my 
boyhood,  I  placed  my  snares  in  places  that  I  knev/  to  be  fre- 
quented by  partridges.  I  have  never  before  seen  a  place  of 
worship  so  advantageously  situated  for  securing  an  audience. 

In  the  early  siinimer  of  this  year,  after  about  a  thou- 
sand dollars  had  been  raised  in  North  Carolina  for  the 
"Bryan  House,"  in  Chinkiang,  a  religious  paper  un- 
fortunately published  the  incorrect  statemc  it  that,  as 
i\Ir.  Hunnex  was  about  to  leave  Chinkiang,  the  new 
house  would  not  be  needed.  Thereupon  the  suggestion 
was  publicly  made  that  the  money  should  h-.  expended 
.n  giving  Dr.  Yates  an  extended  vacation  in  America 
These  facts  will  explain  the  next  letter. 

Chefoo,  August  i,  1887. 
To  the  Recorder: 

Could  I  take  the  means  needed  to  build  a  house  which  is 
required  to  advance  Christ's  kingdom  in  China,  ana  appropri- 
ate the  amount  to  my  own  use,  and  be  innocent?  T  will  not  do 
that  thing,  if  I  never  get  a  rest  from  my  labors  and  cares. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  28;^ 

I  am  not  much  concerned  now  about  going  borne.  My 
paralysis  is  better,  but  I  cannot  work  or  bear  much  fatigue 
and  worry.  I  am  the  Lord's  patient.  I  rest  my  case  in  His 
hands,  and  will  try  to  do  and  suffer  His  will. 

Chefoo,  August  23,  1887. 

My  health  is  improving  slowly.  I  am  a  little  shaky  all  over, 
though  I  present  the  appearance  of  a  man  in  vigorous  health. 

The  Alumni  Association  of  Wake  Forest  College  has  asked 
me  to  deliver  the  Alum.ni  address  in  June,  1888.  If  I  am  able 
to  do  it,  perhaps  I  may  go  in  the  spring.  It  is  impossible  to 
tell  what  I  will  do  eight  months  hence. 

Chef(,o,  September  27,  1887. 

Do  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  and  the  churches  realize  the 
fact  that,  for  want  of  more  activity  and  co-operation  at  home, 
their  work  in  this  great  Empire  is  on  the  eve  of  a  most  serious 
crisis?  It  is  a  fact.  One-half  of  our  working  force  in  China 
are  disabled,  some  by  disease  that  was  latent,  others  by  over- 
work in  trying  to  do  the  work  of  two  or  thre^  men. 

And  yet  we  hear  nothing  of  reinforcements. 

Now,  inasmuch  as  it  takes  two  or  three  years  to  find  out 
whether  a  recruit  can  get  the  language  and  make  a  good  stay- 
ing and  working  missionary,  it  is  evident  that  a  seiious  crisis 
is  imminent.  Oh,  for  a  revival  among  pastors  and  churches  on 
the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions  to  the  heathen!  ^ 

I  am  gradually  recovering  from  the  paralysis  of  one-half  of 
me.     I  can  now  walk,  though  not  as  formerly,  for  a  mile. 

The  following  letter  was  printed  as  part  of  an  editorial 
Ai  the  issue  of  The  Biblical  Recorder  for  Mav  23']  1888, 
which  was  live  months  after  il  was  writ^^n  and  tw^o 
"lonths  after  the  writer  had  been  laid  in  his  <;ra^e. 

Shanghai,  October  18,  1887. 
The  Father.  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  being  my  witness,  I  have 
had  Foreign  Missions  on  the  brain  for  more  than  forty  years. 
1  have  studied  it  in  all  its  phases  and  relations,  at  home  and 
abroad.  I  have  been  first  on  one  and  then  on  the  o<^her  side  of 
questions  that  were  debatable.     But  my  position  was  such  that 


284  Yates  The   Missionary. 

it  was  not  m}^  province  to  debate  them.  I  have  had  forty  years 
of  work  on  the  field,  and  have  had  a  good  opportunity  to  ob- 
serve the  defects  and  deficiencies  of  the  old,  or  prevaiHng  sys- 
tem, through  a  central  board.  For  many  years  I  have  been  con- 
vinced that  we  shall  never  convert  the  heathen  world  on  the 
old  basis.  The  missionaries,  the  real  workers  in  this  business, 
are  spiritually  and  sympathetically  too  far  removed  from  their 
base,  their  constituents.  Consequently,  they  have,  after  the 
first  two  or  three  years  after  their  departure,  no  reflex  influence 
on  their  natural  constituents.  They  are  natives,  it  may  be,  of 
the  backwoods  of  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  or  Georgia. 
In  their  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  extension  of  Christ's 
kingdom  in  the  world,  they  marched  up  to  Richmond,  at  the 
time  indicated,  to  be  inspected,  examined,  and  passed  upon  by 
the  Foreign  Mission  Board,  which  is  composed  of  strangers, 
and  soon  they  sail  for  China  or  Africa,  and  are  lost  to  their 
natural  constituents.  And  these,  having  no  official  connection 
with  them,  soon  cease  to  feel  much  more  interest  in  them  or 
their  work  than  they  do  in  men  from  other  States,  hence  the 
very  best  means  of  developing  the  Foreign  Mission  spirit  in  a 
particular  locality  is  lost.  And  that  is  a  great  loss.  For  all 
who  know  anything  about  this  work  know  that  development  is 
needed  at  home  as  much  as  abroad.  There  must  be  mutual 
sympathy  and  co-operation.  This  does  not  take  place  when 
your  men  are  taken  from  your  State  Board  and  placed  under 
a  central  board  in  Richmond,  Va.  For,  after  all  that  is  said 
to  the  contrary,  to  show  that  the  State  Boards  are  in  closest 
sympathy  with  the  central  board,  the  undeniable  fact  remains 
that  it  is  not  true.  The  Foreign  Mission  interests  in  the  States, 
as  is  proven  by  the  history  of  forty  years  effort,  can  never  be 
developed  by  a  central  board  in  which  the  churches  in  different 
States  feel  no  particular  interest.  Never.  Those  who  work 
at  and  those  who  support  Foreign  Missions  must  come  closer 
together.  The  foreign  mission  interest  in  North  Carolina  can 
be  developed  and  become  a  power  for  good,  only  by  the  North 
Carolina  Mission  Board,  etc. 

Tnasnmch  as  the  convictions  to  which  Dr.  Y.'ies  re- 
ferred had  been  entertained  by  him  "for  m.my  years," 


Yates  The   Missionary.  285 

his  letter  must  be  interpreted  in  harmony  with  tht.'  view-; 
\/]iich  lie  had  frequently  and  publicly  expressed.  Less 
than  three  years  before  this  time,  before  he  had  been 
weakened  and  depressed  by  his  paralytic  stroke,  he  ha'J 
written:  "1  have  advised  against  special  Aork  bein.; 
undertaken  by  societies  and  associations  indeptrdently 
of  the  L^oreign  Mission  Board."  If  the  letter  is  under- 
stood to  mean  that  the  State  boards,  worklr.g  througli 
tl^e  Board  of  the  convention,  should  maintain  more  close 
and  direct  relations  with  missionaries  who  ha\e  gone 
from  these  States,  then  the  meaning  becomes  clear,  and 
all  inconsistency  is  removed. 

As  has  been  stated,  Dr.  Yates  was  not  living  to  ex- 
plain this  letter  after  it  had  been  published.  But  Mrs 
^'ates,  who  for  forty  years  shaied  in  all  his  c<junsel:;, 
as  well  as  in  his  labors,  did  not  believe  that  her  husband 
ever  fa\ored  the  abolition  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board 
On  April  14th,  1S93,  in  reply  to  the  question  ^^hether 
Dr.  Vates  would  have  approved  of  missionaries  severing, 
their  relations  with  the  Board  in  Richmond  and  ac- 
cepting support  directly  from  churches,  she  replied  with 
emphasis,  in  the  presence  of  several  persons,  that  he 
did  not  at  all  approve  of  the  latter  method.  She  added 
ihat  she  thought  it  a  great  mercy  to  her  hr sband  thai 
he  was  taken  away  before  some  members  ^>i  the  China 
missions  had  left  the  service  of  the  Board,  ff  r  it  would 
have  been  a  source  of  grief  to  him. 

Before  this  interview,  Mrs.  Yates  had  already  vTittei 
the  following  letter  to  the  Biblical  Recorder: 

Shanghai,  May  19,   1892. 

I  have  nothing  against  Mr.  ,  but  I  am  strongly  opposed 

to  the  plan  which  he  proposes,  because  I  am  sure  il  tends  to 
break  down  all  organized  effort  in  the  denomination.  I  re- 
joice greatly  in  the  assurance  that  North  Caroliria  Baptists 
adhere  firmly  to  united  effort,  and  have  confidence  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  Board,  and  that  there  is  no  disposition  on  the 
part  of  any  of  our  North  Carolina  churches  to  do  foreign  mis- 
sion work  other  than  through  our  Board  in  Richmond. 


286  Yates  The   Missionary. 

I  cannot  make  out  what  our  discontented  missionaries  have 
to  complain  of;  for  the  Board  has  been  exceedingly  kind  to  all 
whom  the  churches  have  placed  under  its  care  and  direction. 
If  I  were  to  find  fault,  it  would  be  that  it  is  too  indulgent — 
allows  its  missionaries  to  do  too  much  as  they  please.  In  look- 
ing back  over  the  forty  years  of  my  life  in  China,  I  cannot  re- 
call a  single  word  or  act  of  arbitrary  control  toward  any  one 
of  us.  Yet  it  has  not  been  because  provocations,  many  and 
grave,  were  wanting. 

Neither  am  I  clever  enough  to  see  what  advantages  these 
discontented  brethren  expect  to  secure.  They  claim  that  under 
their  plan,  the  home  churches  would  know  all  about  the  work, 
take  more  interest  in  it,  and  send  out  more  laborers.  The 
churches  would  know  what  their  missionaries  chose  to  tell 
them — neither  more  nor  less.  Whatever  they  could  do  under 
the  proposed  plan  they  could  do  under  the  old  plan.  What 
hinders  their  giving  information  to  the  churches  and  associa- 
tions now?  I  know  that  many  of  us  do  write  frequently;  we  are 
glad  to  do  so.  And  I  believe  that  the  churches  know  more  than 
they  are  credited  with. 

Faultfinding  is  a  tool  that  never  turns  out  good  work.  The 
tool  that  we  all  need  to  handle  most  is  described  ."n  the  thir- 
teenth Chapter  of  First  Corinthians. 

After  the  completion  of  the  manuscript  uf  tin's   me- 
7noir,  letters  were  received  from  Rev.  R.  T.  Bryan  and 
]vTrs.   Annie   Seaman,    of    Shanghai,   and   Rev.   C.   W 
Pruitt,  some  extracts  from  which  ought  to  be  mserted 
at  this  point. 

Mr.  Bryan  sa}'s: 

I  have  seen  Mrs.  Seaman  (nee  Annie  Yates)  this  morning. 
She  emphatically  denies  that  her  father  ever  at  any  time  held 
to  the  views  of  the  "Gospel  Missionaries."  She  says  that  Mother 
Yates  wrote  many  letters  protesting  against  the  use  that  was 
made  of  his  letters  after  his  death. 

I  also  know  that  Dr.  Yates  did  not  hold  the  views  of  the 
"Gospel  Mission."  Some  brethren  have  been  perfectly  honest 
and  sincere  in  the  use  made  of  one  of  his  letters,  but  these  breth- 


Yates  The   Missionary.  287 

ren  were  not  associated  with  Brother  Yates  as  I  v/as.  They 
have  formed  their  views  from  the  letter,  which,  without  any 
explanation,  is  Hable  to  be  misunderstood.  It  is  Hke  a  word 
or  sentence  taken  out  of  its  connection. 

I  think  that  I  can  give  you  some  of  Dr.  Yates'  views  as  to 
mission  methods. 

He  had  httle  patience  with  trying  to  Hve  and  dress  as  the 
Chinese  do. 

As  to  the  salaries  of  missionaries,  he  thought  that  they  were 
at  one  time  a  little  too  high,  and  advocated  $1,000  a  year  for 
a  married  man  and  his  wife.  This  is  the  salary  new  paid  by 
the  Board. 

Dr.  Yates'  time  was  so  taken  up  with  preaching,  opening  new 
stations,  and  translation  work,  that  he  had  little  time  to  give 
to  school  work.  At  one  time,  however,  he  had  a  boys'  day 
school,  and  Mrs.  Yates  supported  a  girls'  school  up  to  the  time 
of  her  death. 

In  1877,  at  the  Conference  in  Shanghai,  he  made  a  strong 
speech  in  favor  of  mission  schools  as  a  means  of  destroying 
idolatry.  He  also  encouraged  us  to  have  a  school  for  girls 
in  Chinkiang.  He  was,  pre-eminently,  a  preacher;  he  believed 
in  preaching,  and  spent  most  of  his  time  in  that  work.  But 
he  believed  in  a  limited  amount  of  work  and  expenditure  in 
schools.  Any  statement  of  his  which  might  seem  to  oppose 
schools  was  against  the  wholesale  use  of  mission  money  and 
mission  time  for  school  work.  He  did  think  that  some  of  the 
other  denominations  spent  too  much  on  schools. 

Up  to  his  death.  Dr.  Yates  believed  in  a  Foreign  Mission 
Board.  In  a  conversation  with  me  just  before  his  ^ast  illness, 
he  expressed  the  opinion  that,  if  the  several  States  had  more 
representation  in  the  management  of  the  Foreign  Mission  work, 
they  would  take  more  interest  in  it.  He  had  no  desire  to  do 
away  with  the  Board,  but  wished  to  make  it  less  central  and 
local,  and  to  give  the  several  States  more  representation  in 
it. 

Dr.  Yates  was  very  much  worried,  and  even  angry,  when  he 
learned  that  some  of  his  letters  were  used  to  sustain  views  with 
which  he  had  no  sympathy. 


288  Yates  The   Missionary. 

I  know  that  Dr.  Yates  was  very  much  opposed  i.o  the  plan 
of  trying  to  carry  on  the  work  in  China  without  a  Board.  He 
never  for  a  moment  advocated  tlie  idea  that  a  church  or 
churches  should  do  their  own  Foreign  Mission  work  without 
a  Board.  He  sent  home  a  proposition  for  a  more  lepresenta- 
tive  Board,  but  this  was  not  accepted  by  the  Convention.  He 
acquiesced  in  the  decision  and  labored  on  cheerfully  with  the 
Board  as  it  was,  never  for  a  moment  thinking  of  severing  his 
connection  with  it. 

Mrs.  Seaman,  Dr.  Yates'  daughter,  writes: 

I  remember  as  if  it  were  yesterday  Mr.  's  spending  a 

week  with  us  in  Chefoo,  trying  to  persuade  father  to  sign  a 
scheme  for  the  "new  departure,"  no  schools,  no  paid  assist- 
ants,  etc.     Father  approved  of  certain  details  and  then,   I  can 

almost  hear  it  now,  he  added:   "No,   Brother  .   I  cannot 

go  with  you  in  that."  Then  the  talk  would  continue,  and  the 
same  thing  would  happen  day  after  day.  It  almost  seemed  as 
if  Mr.  thought  that  he  could  worry  father  into  yielding. 

Father  did  not  approve  of  paying  men  to  preach  and  Bible 
women  to  go  about  and  talk  in  families  simply  because  they 
were  paid  to  do  it;  but  if  a  man  oi  woman  showed  any  gift 
or  inclination  to  teach  the  gospel,  beyond  the  desire  for  employ- 
ment, he  was  willing  to  pay  such  a  one  a  salary,  that  his  whole 
time  might  be  given  to  the  work.  That  he  certainly  did  not 
disapprove  of  this  kind  of  paid  assistants  is  shown  by  the  fact 
that  he  employed  them  himself. 

I  am  very  anxious,  as  I  know  both  father  and  mother  would 
have  been,  to  have  nothing  in  the  memoir  which  vould  leave 
the  least  doubt  in  any  mind  as  to  father's  loyalty  to  the  Board. 

The  following  letter  from  Rev.  C.  W.  Pruitt,  Hwang- 
hien,  China,  also  bears  on  the  same  point: 

"One  day,  when  talking  with  me  about  the  expression,  'dry- 
rot  of  missions,'  Dr.  Yates  said  that  he  was  not  thinking  at 
all  of  Baptist  work  in  China,  but  of  Pedo-Baptist  methods. 
He  strongly  contended  that  our  Baptist  missionaries  were  not 
guilty  of  the  blunders  which  he  had  in  mind  when  he  used  the 
expression." 


Yates  The  Missionary.  28g 

Shanghai,  October  20,  1887. 
To  a  Niece: 

My  Dear  Pet:  What  an  ado  you  all  make  about  my  going 
home.  You  talk  as  if  it  were  an  easy  matter.  Why,  do  you 
not  know  that  the  great  globe  is  between  us,  and  that  it  is 
no  small  matter  to  go  from  China  to  Raleigh,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  expense?  I  received  your  invitation  to  go  home  for  a 
rest  in  July,  a  week  or  two  after  I  was  cut  down  by  partial 
paralysis.  One-half  of  me  would  not  obey  me.  At  that  time, 
and  for  some  time  afterward,  I  was  not  able  to  go.  Little  by 
little  I  became  able  to  walk.  Now  I  can  walk  a  mile;  but  it 
is  not  natural.  I  am  weakened  all  over,  and  can  fall  down  as 
easy  as  falling  ofi  a  log.  I  have  preached  for  two  Sundays 
since  we  came  back  from  Chefoo,  but  I  was  used  Dp  by  it.  I 
am  not  fit  for  work. 

Were  I  to  go  to  the  States,  every  preacher  in  the  land  would 
want  me  to  address  or  preach  to  his  people.  And,  seeing  me 
look  stout  and  strong,  they  would  laugh  at  the  idea  of  my  not 
being  able  to  do  it.  They  would  not  take  no  for  an  answer. 
The  only  way  I  could  get  rid  of  them  would  be  to  insult  them; 
and  that  I  would  not  do.  So  you  see  I  am  afraid  of  my  friends. 
And  what  home  have  I  in  this  world  but  this  in  Shanghai  in 
winter  and  Chefoo  in  summer?  Here  I  can  command  my  time 
and  have  no  one  to  tease  me  to  do  what  I  am  not  able  to  do. 
I  am  required  to  keep  quiet,  as  I  am  liable  to  another  stroke 
of  paralysis,  and  this  might  be  fatal. 

If  I  get  well  enough  to  work  and  hold  on  for  another  year. 
I  shall  not  go  to  the  States;  for  the  bottom  is  droppmg  out  of 
our  Missions.  Davault  died  the  4th  inst. ;  Joiner  must  go  home 
this  winter.  Ur.  and  Mrs.  Graves,  of  Canton,  go  home  in  the 
spring;  Miss  Moon  and  Dr.  Yates  are  invited  to  go  home. 
Ihat  looks  like  breaking  up  our  Missions.  And  we  see  nothing 
of  any  reinforcements  to  take  the  places  of  those  who  must  go. 
Now,  can  you  not  see  how  difficult  it  is  for  me  to  leave  Shang- 
hai? And  that  is  all  that  I  can  tell  you  about  my  going  home 
soon.  Moreover,  I  have  no  home  in  America  to  go  to.  There 
are  forty-nine  reasons  why  I  ought  to  stay  at  home.  For  I  am 
19 


290  Yates  The   Missionary. 

old  now,  yoii  know,  and  need  a  great  deal  of  nursing  and  pet- 
ing.     Much  love  to  you,  my  dearest  pet. 

Shanghai,  October  20,  1887. 
In  view  of  the  necessity  for  more  men  at  Chinkiang,  I  pro- 
pose to  waive  my  salary,  in  order  that  another  man  may  be 
sent  out  as  soon  as  practicable.  And  may  the  Lord  add  his 
blessing.  It  will  be  my  meat  and  drink,  as  the  Lord  gives  me 
strength  to  labor  as  an  unpaid  missionary  of  the  Board.  I 
cheerfully  lay  my  salary  on  the  altar  of  the  Lord,  and  pray  that 
he  will  soon  send  me  a  sound  and  consecrated  man  who  will 
be  ready  to  work,  and,  if  necessary,  to  suffer  for  his  glory. 

Shanghai,  October  21,  1887. 

Great  care  should  be  taken  not  to  send  out  men  or  women 
with  defective  constitutions.  A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient. 
If  a  man  be  doubtful,  let  him  work  at  home.  Theie  is  much 
work  needed  in  each  State  to  create  and  keep  ali\e  the  mis- 
sionary spirit. 

The  Recorder  says  that  I  am  well  of  my  paralysis — on  what 
authority,  I  know  not.  I  only  know  that  it  is  not  true.  The 
weakness  now  extends  to  my  whole  body.  I  can  walk,  but 
only  with  labor  and  discomfort.  I  have  preached  for  two  Sab- 
baths, but  was  exhausted  by  it.  If  this  winter  shall  lestore  my 
strength,  I  shall  remain  at  my  post  for  another  year's  work.  If 
not,  I  may  go  to  the  States.  This  will  remain  an  open  question 
till  January  8th,  when  I  enter  upon  my  threescore  an--]  ten. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  State  Convention,  in  Durham, 
N.  C,  in  November,  1887,  more  than  a  thousand  dollars 
were  raised  to  complete  the  amoimt  necessary  for  the 
erection  of  the  dwelling  house  in  Chinkiang  The  tele- 
gram announcing  the  success  of  this  effort  carrifd,  one 
of  his  young  colleagues  wrote,  joy  to  the  heart  of  the 
veteran  missionary.  Work  upon  the  building  was  im- 
mediately begun.  While  this  matter  was  and^r  dis- 
cussion, the  Convention  was  addressed  by  the  venerable 
Mr.  G.  W.  Thompson,  Dr.  Yates'  former  teacher.  Im- 
mediately after  the  desired  sum  had  been  secured  by 
a  rising  vote,  it  was 


Yates  The   Missionary.  291 

Resolved,  that,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  all  the  Bap- 
tists of  North  Carolina  earnestly  desire  that  Dr.  Yates  should 
pay  an  extended  visit  to  his  native  land,  rest  from  his  labors, 
and  see  his  brethren  once  more  before  he  finishes  his  work. 

Shanghai,  December  17,  1887. 
My   inability   to    get   about   is   improving   a   little   since    cool 
weather  came  on.     My  palsied  limbs,  however,  will  not  allow 
me  to  attempt  work.     It  is  a  great  trial  to  be  denied  the  priv- 
ilege of  working  when  there  is  so  much  to  be  done. 

Shanghai,  December  30,  1887. 
To  his  Sister: 

I  am  not  able  to  go  home  now  if  I  were  ready.  While  I 
present  the  appearance  of  an  overgrown  old  man  in  perfect 
health,  I  cannot  walk  well.  The  effects  of  that  paralvtic  stroke 
still  cling  to  me.  I  have  a  good  appetite  and  sleep  well,  but 
still   I   am   a  bad  invalid,   good  for   nothing  but  to   be   turned 

out  to  grass.     W will  know  what  that  means.     Now  this 

is  the  truth  about  me.     The  doctor  is  giving  me  strong  medi- 
cine, and  says  I  am  doing  well.     I  hope  to  pull  through,  but 

then  I  cannot  tell. 

Shanghai,  January  30,  1888. 

As  I  had  in  good  faith  waived  my  salary  that  a  man  might 
be  sent  out  to  preach  for  me  at  Chinkiang,  and  as  I  was  ex- 
pecting to  hear  by  every  mail  that  he  would  soon  be  here,  I 
felt  under  obligations  to  provide  a  home  for  him.  But,  alas, 
your  postscript,  '"The  Board  could  not  accept  your  generous 
offer  to  waive  salary,"  dashed  all  my  hopes  and  disconcerted 
all  my  plans.  My  only  desire  was  to  advance  Christ's  kingdom 
in  Central  China.  To  do  this,  I  was  willing  to  make  a  sacri- 
fice. I  had  it  in  my  heart  to  duplicate  myself  and  lay  it  all  at 
Jesus'  feet.  Well,  the  offer  to  pay  my  salary  to  a  new  man  for 
Chinkiang  still  stands  good  when  the  man  comes  to  claim  it. 

February  i. — I  have  to-day,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  com- 
pleted  my    review   of  my  translation   of  the    Epistles   into   the 

Shanghai  dialect. 

Shanghai,   February  3,   1888. 
From  Mrs.  Yates: 

My  husband  is  better,  and  walks  without  stumbling,  although 


292  Yates   The   Missionary. 

not  with  his  wonted  elasticity  and  endurance.  He  looks  re- 
markly  well,  and  eats  and  sleeps  like  a  laborer.  Yet  he  is  not 
like  his  old  self. 

I  hope  that  the  Board  will  accept  his  offer  to  give  up  his 
salary.  It  is  not  a  new  thought  with  either  of  us.  It  has  been 
my  heart's  desire,  these  many  years,  to  be  self-supporting,  and 
now,  as  we  are  fully  able  to  be  so,  I  hope  that  you  will  appro- 
priate our  allowance  to  a  new  man  for  Chinkiang. 

You  know  that  during  the  American  war  we  were  thrown 
upon  our  own  resources,  without  much  expectation  of  being 
again  connected  with  a  Mission  Board.  My  husband  had  no 
difficulty  in  earning  more  than  enough  for  our  support.  Those 
savings,  added  to  a  small  inheritance  from  my  father,  were  in- 
vested in  building  lots.  These  have  so  risen  in  value  that  the 
income  from  them  is  ample  for  all  our  wants. 


Shanghai,   February  2,   il 
To  the  Recorder: 

I  shall  not  be  at  the  Convention  in  May  nor  at  Wake  Forest 
in  June.  I  expect  to  be  at  my  bungalow  on  the  hill  by  the  sea. 
I  may  be  writing  my  alumni  address  for  1889  (?)  If  not,  I 
shall  certainly  be  thinking  about  it.  For  it  is  in  my  heart  to 
inaugurate  a  new  departure  for  Wake  Forest,  one  in  which 
every  alumnus  of  the  dear  old  college  shall  be  enlisted.  And. 
as  the  result  of  it,  every  boy  in  North  Carolina  who  desires, 
and  has  the  brain  to  take  an  education,  shall  be  enabled  to 
realize  the  desire  of  his  heart. 

Now,  is  not  this  a  big  thing?    Let  us  pray  for  it. 

It  is  not  unlikely  that  other  letters  were  written  b> 
Dr.  Yates  during  the  two  weeks  before  his  second  strok-: 
01  paralysis.  But  no  others  have  revealed  theniselvet 
:n  the  several  quarters  which  have  furnish c'd  n.aterials 
for  this  story. 

The  foregoing  letter  may  be  accepted,  therefore,  as 
his  last  message  to  his  brethren  in  North  Carolina.  The 
noble  desire  tliat  every  young  man  in  his  native  Stati 
v^hotiid  have  a  chance  for  an  education  was  i-'ie  la.-t  wish 
that  he  communicated  to  his  brethren  at  home. 

Through  many  years  of  faithful  toil,  throvifh  dangers 


Yates   The    Missionary.  293 

rnd  vicissitudes,  through  disappointments  a"d  tr.-nmphs, 
the  career  of  our  missionary  here  has  been  traced.  And 
now  the  end  is  near.  Fortunately,  there  are  letters 
vvhich,  in  accordance  with  the  plan  hitheiro  prtrsueH, 
will  tell  the  story  to  its  close.  The  first  is  from  Rev. 
R.  T.  Brvan. 

Chinkiang,  Marcb  26,  1888. 
To  the  Recorder: 

I  am  afraid  that  Dr.  Yates  overtaxed  himself  with  the  new 
house,  planning,  buying,  and  instructing  me  and  the  carpenters. 
Just  four  weeks  before  his  death  he  came  up  here  again  to  help 
me  about  the  house.  He  arrived  about  midnight  of  February 
i8th,  and  seemed  very  tired. 

The  next  morning  I  heard  a  heavy  fall,  and,  on  running  into 
his  room,  I  found  him  lying  on  the  floor.  He  was  stunned  by 
the  fall,  and  was  unable  to  see.  He  told  us  that  when  he  waked 
up,  he  felt  that  the  bed  was  turning  over  with  him,  and,  in  his 
efforts  to  stay  on,  he  fell  off.  The  side  of  his  head,  which  he 
had  struck  in  falling,  remained  paralyzed  until  his  death.  He 
remained  with  us  through  the  week,  and  on  the  25th  he  re- 
turned to  Shanghai.  During  this  week  he  told  me  and  the 
builder  many  things  about  the  house. 

After  another  week,  1  went  down  to  see  him.  It  was  evident 
that  he  was  sinking.  One  day,  while  rubbing  his  aching  foot, 
I  looked  up  and  saw  tears  running  down  his  cheeks,  then  he 
sobbed  a  few  times.  I  wiped  away  the  tears,  and  he  said:  "So 
much  work,  and  I  can't  do  any  of  it."  I  said,  "God  can  have 
it  done."     He  replied,  "But  God  needs  men." 

Shall  these  tears  be  disregarded? 

In  a  subsequent  letter,  Mr.  Bryan  wrote: 

His  religion,  like  the  man,  was  not  of  the  fussy  kind,  showing 
itself  in  words.  It  was  practical,  showing  itself  in  action  and 
in  an  abiding  trust  in  God.  He  came  up  to  Chinkiang  to  see 
us  and  help  us  a  short  time  before  he  died.  During  the  night 
of  his  arrival  he  had  a  paralytic  stroke.  He  knew  that  the  end 
was  approaching,  and  God  seemed  to  be  more  precious  to  him 
than  ever  before.     He  had  passed  beyond  the  fatherhood  idea 


294  Yates   The    Missionary. 

of  God,  and  thought  of  him  as  a  mother.  All  day  long  he 
would  repeat  Isaiah  66:  13,  "As  one  whom  his  mother  com- 
forteth,  so  will  I  comfort  you;  and  ye  shall  be  comforted  in 
Jerusalem." 

The  end  came  on  the  afternoon  of  March  17th.  The 
t'.vo  letters  of  Mrs.  Yates  which  teU  of  the  last  days  and 
Iiours  were  written,  the  first  to  a  niece,  and  the  second 
to  a  sister  of  her  husband. 

Shanghai,  March  14,  1888. 

Your  uncle  continues  in  the  same  helpless  state.  Sometimes 
he  seems  more  comfortable,  but  as  to  any  real  improvement, 
we  cannot  yet  see  it.  He  sleeps  a  good  deal,  sometimes  mostly 
in  the  day  time,  and  then  his  nights  are  wakeful.  Of  course 
you  can  see  that  it  takes  all  my  time  and  strength  to  minister 
to  him.  My  strength  has  held  out  surprisingly.  Friends  are 
very  kind  in  offering  to  help.  He  likes  some  one  to  read  the 
papers  to  him,  and  can  read  a  little  while  for  himself  when 
the  pain  is  less.  I  know  you  would  do  everything  for  him  most 
willingly,  but  he  will  never  see  his  native  land  again. 


Shanghai,  April  8,  li 
It  was  his  intention  to  go  to  see  you  all  and  the  churches 
this  year,  but  I  have  felt  that  it  was  very  doubtful,  ever  since 
ihe  first  attack  of  paralysis  last  summer.  He  never  fully  re- 
covered the  use  of  the  left  side,  although,  for  awhile,  he  was 
very  much  better.  He  had  to  give  up  preaching  almost  alto- 
gether; but  two  objects  occupied  his  mind  constantly,  the  com- 
pletion of  the  translation  of  the  New  Testament  and  a  house 
for  Mr.  Bryan.     Both  of  these  he  lived  to  see  accomplished. 

He  went  to  Chinkiang  to  set  the  builders  to  work  on  the 
house,  and  whilst  there  the  second  stroke  of  paralysis  fell  upon 
him,  and  Mr.  Herring  went  up  and  brought  him  home.  He 
did  not  think  it  was  paralysis;  he  supposed  it  was  owing  to 
vertigo,  and  always  spoke  of  it  as  vertigo  up  to  the  last  day  or 
two.  Then  he  asked  me  whether  the  doctor  was  treating  him 
for  vertigo  or  for  paralysis,  and  I  said,  "I  think  the  medicines 
are  for  paralysis,  I  know  that  some  of  them  are."  After  that 
he  did  not  refer  to  it  again. 


Yates   The   Missionary.  295 

He  suffered  intensely  those  last  three  weeks,  when  awake, 
but  it  was  a  blessing  that  he  slept  most  of  the  time.  When 
awake,  he  was  sometimes  quite  cheerful,  and  talked  with  his 
usual,  strong  voice.  Even  on  the  Friday  night  preceding  his 
death,  he  sat  on  a  chair  while  his  bed  was  made  up.  Mr.  Her- 
ring and  a  faithful  Chinese  servant  were  helping  to  make  every- 
thing comfortable,  and  at  half-past  nine  o'clock,  whilst  he  still 
sat  in  the  arm-chair  Mr.  Herring  insisted  that  I  should  go  to 
bed  so  as  to  get  some  sleep,  and  said  that  he  would  stay  and 
see  him  comfortably  settled  in  bed.  Hearing  this,  your  brother 
said  to  me,  "Yes,  come  and  kiss  me  good-night,  and  go  to  bed." 

None  of  us  thought  that  the  end  w-as  at  hand.  The  doctor 
has  said  since  that  he  had  no  expectation  of  it,  that  he  sup- 
posed that  he  might  live  through  the  year  or,  at  the  very  least, 
some  months  longer,  and  I  was  thinking  that  he  would  last  a 
long  time,  perhaps  years,  and  was  trying  to  make  my  strength 
hold  out  for  an  indefinite  period. 

The  next  morning  at  three  o'clock,  the  man  calK-d  me,  and 
I  found  your  brother  awake,  and  in  much  pain.  I  gave  him  a 
little  brandy,  and  smoothed  his  pillows,  and  he  seemed  more 
comfortable,  and  told  me  to  go  back  to  bed;  but  I  did  not  go. 
I  sat  by  him,  and  he  slept  for  an  hour  or  more;  then  u  hemor- 
rhage began.  Mr.  Herring  lives  in  the  next  house:  I  sent  for 
him  and  for  the  doctor  and  for  Annie  and  Mr.  Seaman,  for  I 
saw  that  he  was  very  ill.  Still  his  voice  was  strong,  and,  when 
he  took  water  or  beef  juice,  he  would  raise  himself  uv  to  drink, 
by  pulling  some  one's  hand.  It  was  about  ten  o'clock  when  Mr. 
Seaman  helped  him  in  this  way,  and  said  to  him,  "You  are  very 
strong,"  and  he  answered,  "Yes,  I  could  pull  you  down  on  the 
bed  now!"  But  the  hemorrhage  weakened  him  rapidly,  and 
he  slept  almost  continuously. 

There  had  been  a  great  deal  of  pain  in  his  head,  and  he  liked 
to  have  it  brushed. 

Once,  that  morning,  Mr.  Herring  took  the  brush  and  began, 
but  he  said,  "Mother  or  Annie  will  do  it  best."  (He  almost 
always  called  me  "mother.") 

This  was  the  last  time  that  he  appeared  to  notice  us,  or. 
indeed,  any  one.     He  slept  on  till  a  little  after  five  o'clock  that 


296  Yates   The    Missionary. 

i-fternoon,  and  simply  ceased  to  breathe.  There  was  no  strug- 
gle, no  pain,  in  those  last  hours.  There  were  no  farewell  words, 
no  messages.  I  doubt  if  he  knew  he  was  going;  but  he  had  said 
weeks  before  that  he  was  ready;  that  he  would  like  10  do  more 
work,  but  the  Lord  knew  best. 

I  will  not  try  to  tell  you  of  my  own  feelings,  of  the  deep 
regret  felt  by  others,  and  of  the  great  crowd  of  Chinese  mourn- 
ers that  followed  him  to  the  grave.  I  have  had  letters  of 
sympathy  from  friends  far  and  near,  and  full  of  the  warmest 
expressions  of  admiration  and  regret  for  your  brother.  He 
was  greatly  respected  and  loved  by  all  denominatioiis.  Every- 
one has  been  kind,  and  I  have  found  that,  while  sympathy  can- 
rot  remove  sorrow,  still  it  does  help  us  to  bear  it. 

Shanghai,  March  21,  1888. 
From  Rev.  D.  W.  Herring  to  the  Recorder: 

Dr.  Yates  was  buried  on  the  afternoon  of  March  19th.  The 
services  were  conducted  by  Dr.  Gulick,  Dr.  Thompson,  Pastor 
Wong,  and  myself.  A  host  of  his  friends — and  no  man  here 
had  more  than  he — were  assembled  on  that  beautiful  spring  day. 

After  going  twice  around  the  w^orld,  and  up  and  down  this 
great  Empire,  and  through  typhoons  and  shipwrecks,  and 
through  the  dangers  of  two  wars,  he  has  left  his  body  to  lie 
here  in  this  cemetery  w'hich  he,  more  than  any  other  man,  had 
made  a  place  of  beauty. 

He  said  to  me  only  a  few  days  ago:  'The  people  at  home  want 
men  to  die  on  the  field,  and  I  am  going  to  lay  the  foundation." 

The  first,  under  our  Board,  to  come  to  the  Central  China 
Mission,  he  w-as  allowed  to  stand  by  it  until  now.  He  has 
watched  over  it,  prayed  for  it,  toiled  in  it,  wnth  how  much  care 
no  one  can  imagine,  from  its  birth  to  its  present  ho^  eful  state. 

The  church  here  has  lost  a  father  in  the  gospel,  and  its  mem- 
bers have  wept  over  his  departure.  Many,  seeing  i>,  have  re- 
marked: "How  they  loved  him!"  Yet  he  had  always  held  up 
Christ,  and  not  himself,  as  the  object  of  their  love. 

There  has  been  only  One  who  could  say:  "It  is  finished." 
But  there  have  been  few  men  who  have  approached  more 
nearly  to  the  completion  of  their  life  work.  He  had  on  hand 
his   translation   of  the    New  Testament   and   the   completion   of 


Yates  The   Missionary.  297 

the  house  in  Chinkiang.  The  first  thousand  copies  of  the  former 
were  deHvered  at  the  chapel  as  his  body  was  borne  from  his 
house;  the  latter  is  well  under  way,  and  he  left  full  di-ections  for 
its  completion. 

Shanghai,   1888. 
From  Pastor  Wong  Ping  San: 

Our  believing  and  being  saved  and  what  we  have  been  able 
to  do  for  Christ's  cause,  is  all  through  Pastor  Yates'  instruction 
and  exhortation.  The  time  since  his  arrival  in  Snanghai  is 
forty-one  years.  As  a  man  he  was  faithful  and  true;  as  a 
preacher  he  was  clear,  and  all  men  delighted  to  hear  him.  He 
treated  the  disciples  as  his  children;  therefore  they  honored 
him  as  a  father.  He  toiled  for  the  Master,  and  spared  not  his 
own  money.  He  established  churches  at  Quinsan  Soochow, 
and  Chinkiang.  For  more  than  a  decade  of  years  he  has  had 
no  time  to  rest.  Laying  here  the  foundations  of  he  Lord's 
cause,  the  work  has  fallen  on  him,  one  man.  His  years  being 
many,  his  strength  failed.  Last  year,  taking  his  sickness  along 
with  him,  he  proceeded  with  the  Translation  of  the  Scriptures, 
forgetting  that  he  was  sick. 

Of  us,  the  members  of  this  church,  there  is  not  one  who  is 

not  wounded  and  grieved  at  heart.     His  words  of  exhortation 

and  prohibition,   always  timely-,  have  been   of  immense  benefit 

to  us,  and  we  cannot  forget  him. 

Yokohama,  April  26,  1888. 

From  Mrs.  Yates: 

His  last  days  were  full  of  intense  sufifering,  yet  none  of  us. 
not  even  the  doctor,  thought  that  the  end  was  so  near.  His 
voice  was  strong  to  the  last.  We  were  planning  to  go  to 
Chefoo  as  soon  as  he  should  have  more  use  of  his  lower  limbs. 
Several  times  he  said  to  us:  "Just  think!  I  shall  have  nothing 
to  do  but  rest  for  six  months."  He  took  great  comfort  in  hav- 
ing put  the  whole  New  Testament  through  the  press— except 
Revelation,  and  this  he  intended  to  translate  after  returning 
from  Chefoo. 

He  said  that  he  was  ready  for  the  Master's  call  but  hoped 
that  the  Lord  would  give  him  a  few  more  years  to  work. 


298  Yates   The   Missionary. 

Chinkiang,   May  7,   i 
Rev.  R.  T.  Bryan: 

Yes.  our  father  is  dead.  He  truly  loved  us,  and  we  truly 
loved  him,  and  always  called  him  father.  Our  children  sat  on 
his  knee  and  called  him  grandfather.  We  felt  thac  we  had  a 
home  at  Shanghai  with  "welcome"  written  over  the  door. 

When  Brother  Herring  and  I  arrived,  he  did  not  say:  "This 
is  my  field;  you  go  and  make  your  own  fields,  as  I  have  done." 
But  by  his  actions  he  said:  "My  children,  here  are  your  homes, 
your  chapels,  and  your  work;  come  in  and  help  youi  father." 

He  spent  a  week  with  us  about  a  month  before  his  death. 
While  he  was  sick,  he  frequently  spoke  of  his  own  exceeding 
sinfulness,  and  of  God's  great  mercy.  He  said:  "I  am  ready 
to  go  if  God  wants  me.  I  should  like  to  live  and  work  longer, 
but  I  am  ready  to  die." 
From  Rev.  W.  J.  Hunnex: 

In  many  Chinese  homes  there  is  sorrow  as  deep  and  real 
as  that  which  is  felt  in  the  homes  of  Southern  Baptists.  No 
foreigner  has  been  better  known  or  more  warmly  loved  by  the 
Chinese  than  the  man  over  whose  death  they  and  we  are  mourn- 
ing together. 

But  of  all  the  numerous  expressions  of  esteem  an  J 
sorrow  uttered  and  written  in  America  or  China^  there 
is  none  more  beautiful  in  its  simplicity,  or  more  touch- 
mg  in  its  manifest  sincerity,  than  this  single  sentence 
from  the  church  in  Shanghai: 

''We  have  lost  our  good  shepherd,  and  the  flock  is 
bleating." 

FINIS. 


Yates  The   Missionary.  2QQ 


^^i^f^e:^p<di:x:. 


JUBILEE  IN   SHANGHAI, 


BY    R.    T.    BRYAN. 


The  year  1897  has  been  a  real  jubilee  year  in  China.  We 
have  had  several  celebrations  in  Shanghai,  and  hear  of  more  in 
other  places. 

We  have  also  had  the  celebration  of  the  ninetieth  year  of 
mission  work  in   China. 

It  encourages  us  to  work  more  earnestly  for  God  and  to 
trust  him  more,  when  we  find  that  ninety  years  of  mission 
work  have  opened  all  the  doors,  overcome  many  of  the  worst 
difficulties,  prepared  the  way  for  future  victories,  and  given 
us  more  than  two  thousand  missionaries  and  nearly  one  hun- 
dred thousand  native  Christians. 

OUR    OWN    JUBILEE. 

September  12,  1847,  the  first  missionaries  of  our  Board,  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Yates,  arrived  in  Shanghai.  Brethren  Shuck  and 
Toby,  with  their  wives,  soon  followed. 

November  6,  1847,  the  Shanghai  Baptist  Church  was  organ- 
ized with  six  foreign  missionaries  and  two  native  evangelists 
from   Canton. 

Saturday,  November  6,  1897,  we  celebrated  the  fiftieth  year 
of  our  church.  Appropriate  songs  had  been  selected  before- 
hand and  carefully  practiced.  A  very  happy  audience  met  at 
ten  o'clock  to  sit  down  in  the  midst  of  beautiful  scrolls  and 
flowers  to  sing,  "Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow." 

The  principal  feature  of  the  day  was  the  history  of  the 
church,  which  had  been  carefully  prepared  by  our  secretary, 
Brother  Wong  Sing  San.  He  was  one  hour  reading  it.  but 
its  many  Interesting  facts  kept  us  from  getting  tired. 


3^0  Yates   The    Missionary. 

The  first  ten  ycf-.rs  found  us  with  twenty-four  members,  six 
more  than  the  Rangoon  Baptist  Church  after  ten  years  of  work. 

Many  of  the  Shanghai  native  pastors  and  preachers  were 
present  to  congratulate  us  on  this  jubilee  occasion. 

In  the  afternoon  more  than  one  hundred  children  met  to 
celebrate  the  first  decade  of  the  Sunday  school.  The  sec- 
ictary,  Brother  Zie  Wei  Tsung,  read  a  short  history  of  the 
Sunday  school,  and  the  children  sang  and  recited  many  ap- 
propriate texts  of  Scripture.  This  meeting  was  even  more  in- 
teresting than  the  morning  meeting. 

We  had  previously  arranged  to  have  a  mission  meeting  and 
an  associational  meeting  in   connection  with  the  jubilee. 

Brother  Britten  preached  the  associational  sermon  at  eleven 
o'clock  on  Sunday  to  a  large  audience.  He  never  fails  to 
preach  a  good  sermon  in  English,  but  I  believe  that  he  is  even 
better  when  preaching  in  Chinese. 

Monday  morning  the  Association  was  organized,  and  the 
Chinki;ang  and  Yang  Chow  Baptist  churches  were  received  as 
members. 

The  principal  business  of  the  Association  was  to  hear  the 
reports  of  the  School  Committee  and  the  Home  Mission 
Board. 

The  School  Committee  reported  the  two  schools  in  good 
condition  with  money  enough  to  pay  all  expenses  for  this 
year.  The  committee  was  greatly  enlarged  and  changed  to  a 
Board  of  Trustees. 

The  Home  Mission  Board  was  also  enlarged  and  decided  to 
send  a  native  preacher  to  Quinsan,  and  a  Bible  woman  to 
Shanghai.  We  feel  very  much  encouraged  over  this  advanced 
move.  Pray  with  us  that  it  may  be  the  small  beginning  of 
great  things  in  China! 

It  is  a  good  time  after  fifty  years  of  work  to  ask  the  question, 

HAVE     OUR     EFFORTS     BEEN     SUCCESSFUL? 

In  the  first  place,  it  might  be  best  to  ask  what  efforts  we 
have  made?  We  have  given  money,  but  much  less  than  we 
ought  to  have  given.  We  have  prayed,  but  not  as  earnestly 
as  we  should  have  done.  We  have  sent  out  men  and  women, 
but  for  nearly  twenty  years  one  man  and  wife  labored  alone  in 
Shanghai.     Such  have  been  our  efforts  that  we  would  not  have 


Yates   The   Missionary.  301 

a  right  to  complain  even  if  very  small  results  had  been  accom- 
plished. 

WPIAT    HAS    BEEN    DONE. 

The  one  station  has  increased  to  four,  with  a  number  of 
out-stations.  The  six  missionaries  have  increased  to  thirteen, 
and  the  two  native  Christians  from  Canton  have  increased  to 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  in  Central  China. 

Looking  beyond  Central  China  th-"  one  mission  has  increased 
to  three,  Central  China,  Northern  China,  and  the  Gospel  Mis- 
sion, the  three  having  nearly  forty  missionaries.  So  that  the 
six  missionaries  who  began  the  Central  China  Mission  have 
really  increased  to  forty,  because  these  other  missions  grew 
out  of  the  Central  China  Mission. 

We  feel  that  the  results  have  far  surpassed  our  efforts.  So 
wo  praise  God  for  the  past,  and  pray  him  to  bless  us  and  use 
us  in  the  future.     We  are  full  of  hope. 


302 


Index. 


Index. 


Page. 

Abscess  appears 194,  215 

Academy  life  of  Yates ^3,    24' 

Acceptance  by  Board,  Yates' 35 

Anesthetic.  Rapid  breathing  an...  238 

Ancestral  Worship ..189,  204 

Angell,  President  J.  B..  quoted  ...  251 
Anglo- French  War  with  Cliina...  143 

Appeal  for  Helpers 

183,  249,250,276,  283 

Ariel,  Wreck  of.. 119  ff 

Armstrong,  Rev.  Thos 10,    11 

Ashburton,  Voyage  of  the. 41,    42 

Association,  The  Hiang  Cheh.230,  247 

Austrian  Consul.  The 47 

Baptism.  First  in  Shanghai.. 77 

Of  first  Chinese  Woman 108 

Of  Yates 14 

Beginnings  in  Shanghai,  Y'ates"..  203 

Biblical  Recorder 269 

Blaclv  Cat  Rumors 185 

Board,  Foreign  Mission ..131,  132 

Objections  to,  answered 

132  ff,  285-288 

Boone,  Bishop 47,  49,  151 

Boyce,  Rev.  J.  P.,  Letter  to. 226 

Bravado  successful 76 

Brooks,  Rev.  W.  T.,  Message  to...  213 
Brush  Arbor,  Yates'  Worship  in..     22 

Bryan,  Rev.  R.  T 264,  266 

Quoted..  168. 242,  286-288.  293,  298 

Burial  of  Yates 296 

Burlingame  Treatv 234 

Cabaniss,  Rev.  A.  B 63,    93 

Camp  Meeting 13 

Central  Association 39 

Central  China,  Plans  to  Occupy, 

210  ff.  223,  243 

Chang,  the  Giant.... 184 

Chapel,  Y'^ates',  in  Shanghai 

181,  182,  188 

Chefoo,  Visits  to 

215.  235,  244,  245,  562,  266.  267,  270,  271 
Children,   Chinese,   Taught    Idol. 

atry 223,  224 

Religious  Training  of 11,  110 

China  Characterized 161 

Opened  to  Missionaries 

157,263,  264 

Chinese  Character 204.  205 

Cook.  A 49 

Curiosity 71 

Depravity  of .246,259-262 

Education 227 

Idolatrv  of 263 

Land  Titles 236 

Lansuage 54  ff.  199 

Yates'  First  Lessons  in.  52,  53 

New  Year 213,214.  231 

Opposition  to  Foreigners. .59,  69 


Page. 

Public  Speaking  of 242,  243 

Singing  of 244.  245 

Super-tition  204 

Unfit    Citizens    for    United 

States 228,  234 

Women.  Liberalitv  of 229 

Chinkiang  ....211, 238, 2o2. 253, 258, 261, 
263,  267.  268,  276.  278,  280,  281,  290,  294 

Cholera,  Chinese  Treatment  of 146 

Church,  Training  of  a 160 

Chusan  Islands 119 

Cillev.  Mr..  Kindness  of 41 

Civil"  War  in  United  States  ....144,  145 
Comfort  of    Missionaries    Desira- 
ble..  239.  253,276 

Conference,  Missionarv,  in  Shang- 
hai  "188,  189.  190,  191 

Conference,    Missionary,  Records 

of 193 

Cone,  Rev.  S.  H 41 

Consecration  of  Self  to   Ministry, 

Yates' 27 

Convention,  North  C'rolina  Bap- 
tist  37.  129,  186.  264.  290 

Convention,  Southern  Baptist.  32,  131, 
135,  136,  195,  196,  200,  252,  261,  282 

Conversion.  Yates" 14 

Crawford.  Rev.  T.  P 129,  151 

Crawford.  Mrs.  T.  P. 119  ff 

Daniel,  Rev.  R.  T 10 

Dean,  Rev.  Dr..  quoted ..47,  230 

Death  of  Yates 296 

Death  of  Young  Chinese  Woman..  198 

Depravitv  of  Chinese 246,  259,  262 

Devault,  Rev.  E.  E 271 

Dickinson.  Rev.  A.  E.,  Letters  to. 248-9 

Dictionary  Making .101, 104 

Doctor  of  Divinitv,  Yates  Made...  164 

Dowd.  Rev.  P.   W" 13,  18,  23.  28 

Letter  to... 193 

Durham  (N.  C.)  Baptist  Church, 

Liberality  of 188 

Earlv  Education  of  Y'ates. 9 

Edeiiton  Bap.  Miss.  Soc,  Letter  to  262 

Education.  Importance  of 

156.  157.  158,  219 

Education.  Yates'  Desire  for 22 

Encvclopedia,  Baptist 236 

Eureka.  Voyage  on  the .139  ff 

Europe.  Visit  of  Yates  to 176 

Eyesight,  Yates'  Impaired.. 56,  76,    80 

Famine  at  Shanghai 70,    76 

Female  Education 105 

Fields,  Miss,  Quoted 244 

Financier.  Yates  as  a 154 

F"'irst  Preaching  of  Yates  at  Shang- 
hai  57,    66 

First  Efforts  of  Yates  in  Public...     18 


Index. 


303 


Pagr. 

Flat  River  Association 277 

FlemiiiK.  Mr.  John 24 

Foot-biiidinu: 225,  249 

Found:itioii-la3in>j; -.-117.  162 

Franco-Chinese  War.. 246,  255,  258,  261 

Freeman.  Mr..  Letter  tO- 253 

Fruit-tree^  Sent  to  Vales 215,  251 

Funeral  of  Yates 296 

"Fung-shui" 61,  281 

Geneva,  Yates  in --152,  153 

"Go-down  "  (warehouse) 57,    60 

Graves.  Rev.  R.  H.,  Quoted.  105,  148,  241 
Greensboro  (X.  C.)  Young  Ladies, 

Letter  Irom  Mrs.  Yates  tO- 265 

"  Hanliu  " 73,    74 

Hatcher.  Rev.  W.  E., Resolutions  by  252 

Heat  at  Shanghai 200.201.  229 

Heightof  Yates 167,  168 

Herring.  Rev.  D.  W.--.249,  264,  266,  269 

Letter  from  Yates  to 2c9 

Letter  from... 296 

Hiang  Cheh  Association 230,  247 

Hollow  Tree,  a  Place  of  Prayer-.-    24 

"Home."  Yates' ^-,155,  289 

Hoiigkong  --- -     42 

Hunnex,  Rev.  W.J 

- 252.2.13,261,262,281.  298 

Idolatry  of  Chinese 263 

Taught  to  Children 223,  224 

Idols  as  Curiosities 90 

Described -187,  188 

Immersion,  Impressive  upon  Chi- 
nese -- -- 162 

Indemnity  for  Mission  Secured-94.  109 

Interpreter,  Yates  an 147,  150,  186 

Yates  Resigns  Position 191 

Jatnes,  Rev.  J.  J..  Letter  to 105 

James,  Dr.  J.  S.- - 40,    64 

Japan  as  a  Mission  Field 254 

Jeter,  Rev.  J.  B.,  quoted 189,  190 

Johnson.  Rev.  Frank ...40,    67 

Jubilee  Year  in  China  and  Shang- 
hai  299 

Judson.  Rev.  A 190 

Judson,  Memoir  of  Mrs 33 

Justice,  Mr.  David 225 

Kiaw-hwo-dong..l08,  111.  116,  117,  142 

Kitchen  god 85 

Kong-say-dong 60,  66,    83 

Kwinsan  Church  Organized  - 212 

Lambuth,  Rev.  W.R.,  quoted. 55. 98,  247 

Landowner.  Yates  as  a 253,  292 

Lane.  Dr.  J.  H . 29,    30 

Language,  Yiites'  Proficiencv  in..     83 

Langford.  Mr.  Menalcus "---30,  176 

Lieu,  Interview  with.. 91 

Lightning  Striking  Tree 12 

Li  Hung  Chang 263 

Lockhart.  Dr. 83 

Manchuria.  Visit  to 165,  169 

Mandarin  Language  Acquired 141 

Mangum.  Hon.  W.  P 154 

Marriage  of  Yates 36 

Marshall.  Hon.  Humphrev 90 

Mateer,  Rev.  C.  W \ 189 


Page. 

Meredith,  Rev.  Thomas- -.. 

28.  37.  64,  65,  67,  7G,  126 

Methods  of   Mission  Work 
131  ff.  217-219. 258.  267.  268.  2"83-285.  288 

Method  of  Work  in  Shanghai 68.  72 

M  nisterial  Education.  Yates' Aid 

to . 179,  180 

Mission  Premises  at  Shanghai  ..82,  108 
Missions.  Principles  of  Modern.2t8.209 
Missionary  Impressions.   Yates' 

First 26 

Missionaries.  Medical 234 

Qualifications  for 

214,  234.  235,  237, 238,  239. 240,  290 

Missionary  Am.  Baptist  Union 41 

Mississippi,  Visit  to. 131 

Moring.  .Miss  Eliza  E 36 

Morrison.  Robert 43 

Motto,  Yates" 241 

Mt.  Pisgah  Church... 13,  17.  25.  37 

Muirhead.  R  v.  \Vm...l47,  151.  189.  268 

Mumford,  Mrs. 153 

Municipal  Council  of  Shanghai.  147,151 

Music  Teacher,  Y'ates  a  .-     32 

Nabob.  Voyage  on  the 124.  125 

Narrow  Escapes,  Yates' 95  ff 

Native  Chinese  Preachers..- 207 

Negro  Frightened  (anecdote) 24 

NewTestamentTranslatioP,  186.1 99,217, 
233,  241.  242.  275.  280.  291.  294.  296,  297 

Norris,  Mr.  S.  P.,  Letter  to 109 

North  Carolina  Baptists  and  Mis- 
sions      39 

Oak  Tree  as  Place  of  Worship,  12,  19.  24 

O'Brvan.  Rev.  S.  C. 34,    53 

Old-field  School 9,    22 

Oo-kah-jach.  Station  at .     81 

Operations  Surgical,  required 

-...215.  219,  227,  230,  231,  232,  256,  257 

Opium  War 59 

Opposition  of  Chinese  to  Foreign- 
ers  .-- 59,    69 

Osborne.  Rev.  James... 38 

Overworked,  Yates  is 165 

Panics  in  Shanghai 88 

Paralysis,  Yates  threatened  with  . 

270,279,290.  291 

Fatal  Stroke  of.- 293 

Parents,  Death  of  Yates' 156 

Pastors  of  the  South.  Address  to,  157-58 

Pastors.  Responsibility  of 114 

Paris.  Yates'  visit  to  .'. - 177 

P'ayTsz  Oo.... 212,220.  222 

Pearcy.  Rev.  George 63.    67 

Penetration  of  Character.  Yates'.  148-49 

Philadelphia  Visited 40 

Physique  of  Yates 168.  169.  240 

Poindexter.  Rev.  A.  M..  Letters  to,137-8 

Poland.  Kindness  of  Mr 41 

Poteat.  Prof.  W.  L.,  Letter  to. .247.  248 

Prayer.  Yates'  First 12 

Preaching,  Yates',  characterized.  162-3 
Kind  of.  Needed  in  China.. 162-3 

Prichard.  Rev.  J.  L 27 

Prichard.  Rev.  R.  S .-.170-172 


304 


Index. 


Pritchard.  Rev.  T.  H..189,  195,  199,  242 
Professorship    iu    Chinese     Lan- 
guage   - 1 29  ff 

Progress  Made  in  First  30  Years  ..  192 

Pruitt,  Rev.  C.  W.,  quoted 288 

Purefov.  Rev.  James  S.  ....32,  247,  248 

Purefoy,  Rev.  John 10,247 

Quiusan,  Station  and  Church 

174.  177.  185,  196,  197,  199-202 

Raleigh  Associa tioii 

39,  66.  85,  105,  110,  127,  186,  277 

Raleigh,  Lectures  iu 126 

Rebel  Proclamation 104 

Reese,  J.  J.  T..  Letter  to .232,  233 

Regulations  for  Mission  Discussed  114 

Religious  Experience  of  Yates 10  ff 

Religious  Herald 269 

Reminiscences,  Yates' 222 

Results  to  1897 300,  301 

Richmond  College.  Gifts  to 275 

Riot  in  Shanghai 180 

Rohrer,  Rev.  J.  Q.  A 136 

Rvland.  Rev.  C.  H... 136,251.  252 

Salary,  Yates' 119 

Salary  Waived  by  Yates 290 

Salaries  of  Missionaries. ..137,  138,  287 

Sandy  Creek  Association 128 

School,  a  Chinese 86 

School.  Mrs.  Yates'... .184,  223-225,  2t9 
Schoo  s  V.  Preaching  in  China,  237.  238 

Seal,  Yates' '. 241 

Seaman,  Mrs.  A.,  quoted 288 

Sears.  Voyage  on  the 42 

See  Seen  Sang 185 

SeeT'ay  San 197.  199,212 

Self-support  in  Missions 190,  257 

Serainarv,  S.  B.  Theo.,  Miss.  Soc, 

letterto 199 

Seminarv,  S.  B.  Theo.,  gifts  to 

-■ ...226.  275.  278 

Shanghai 43.  45,  46,     54 

Shanghai  Bap.Church.  143. 159,  173.  179, 
180,  186. 188,  200.  202, 208,  214-5,  298-300 

Shanghai  Taken  by  Rebels 90 

Shanghai,  Work  Begun  in 46 

Shentsz  (mule  litter) 255 

Shuck.  Rev.  J.  L .40,  42,  56,  61.  66 

Shuck.  Death  of  Mrs 83 

Silk  District  Visited.... 113 

Skinner.  Rev.  T.  E..  quoted 

....127.  147,  1.52.  153,  163,  172.  270.  271 

Snakes.  Strutrgle  of  the 15 

Solomon,  Rev.  J.  B .31,  37.     55 

Soochow 211. 

212.  220,  231,  233,  235,  236,  244,  247,  278 

Spaulding,  Rev.  Dr  44 

Standard  for  Church  Membership 

in  Shanghai .268,  269 

Statesman.  Yates  a 210 

Storm  at  Sea 42 

Stradley.  Rev.  Thos.. 129 

Student  Life  at  Wake  Forest  Col- 
lege  29tr 

Success  in  China... 248 

Suez  Canal 156 


Page. 
Sunday  School   at   Mount  Pisgah 
Church 17 

Sung-way-dong...  83.  108.  116,  117,  145 
Surgical  Operations  Required 

....215,  219,  227,  230,  231,  232,  256.  257 

Svle,  Rev.  Dr 44,48.49.51.     52 

Tai-piug  Rebellion 88  ff.  141 

Taotai,  Escape  of  the 92 

I  aylor.  Rev.  J.  B ..32,  34,    37 

Teacher.  Yates'  Chinese 51 

Testament.  Mission  of  a 78 

Theological  Class    Taught   by 

Yates 233,242.  280 

Thomas,  Mrs.  A..  Letter  to 178 

Thomas.  Rev.  J.  A.  W 29 

Thompson,  G.  W 23-26,28,  290 

Throat  Trouble.  Yates'  Early 30 

Tien-tsin  Treatv 143 

Tobev.  Rev.  T.  \V 40.  52,     56 

'Letters  to 83.84,  104.  114 

Tracts,  Use  of 68.  112 

Traininir  of  Yonng  Christians. 20,  21 
Translation  of  New  Testament.  186.199, 

217,  233. 241.  242.  275.  280,  291,  294.  296-7 

Tungchow  Mission  Visited 255,  2.56 

Tupper.  Rev.  H.  A.,  quoted 36 

•Two  Friends,  The" 94,  112.  196 

Typhoons .70,  119 

Vice-Consulship  Accepted.. 180 

Resigned 182 

Voice,  Failure  of  Yates' 

..164  ff.  173,  174.  178 

Restored 182 

Waddt'Il,  Capt.  James 152 

Wait,  Prest.  Samuel 27,  28,  32,    65 

Wake  Forest 23 

Wake  Forest  Academv 23,    24 

Wake  Forest  College 28.29.  39, 

116.  164,  247,  2.56,  264,  272.  273.  283.  292 

Wake  Union  Church. 29 

Walker,  Rev.  W.  S..53,  232.  235,250,  263 

Walters,  Rev.  W,  T.,  letter  to 116 

Wenli 74 

White.  Prof.  J.  B 32.  33.    35 

Williams.  Mr.  John  C 210 

Willingham,  Rev.  R.  J.,  quoted. .. 

: 40.  118,  172.  173,  179 

Wilson,  Rev.  J.  C 219 

Wilson.  Mr.  S.  0 215 

Wingate.  Rev.  W.  M 129 

'•  Wfmans'  Work  in  China,"  edited 

by  Mrs.  Yates 226 

Wong  Pinir  San(i)astor).  ..142,  165.  167, 

175,  179.  185,  198.  2U6.  207,  225.  296,  300 
Wong  Yih  San  (deacon) 

142,  230,272,274,  278 

Wreck  of  the  Ariel 119  ff 

Yah-djaw-loong 48.  52,    53 

Yangtse  River 45.  46,  187 

Yates.  Mrs.  E.  M.,  letters  of. 42.  80.  86. 

177,  192.  224.  225.  229.  231.  293,  294.  297 

Visits  to  United  States 216, 

221,  249,  250,    259,  265,  285,  286 

Yong  Seen  San 40 

Younsr  Converts  to  be  Trained 21 


